LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF 


Copyright  1901 
GENERAL    ROBERT   ANDERSON 

From  a  miniature 


An  Artillery  Officer  in 
The  Mexican  War 


1846-7 


Letters  of  Robert  Anderson 

Captain  3rd  Artillery,  U.  S.  A. 


ERRATA 

p.  50,  next  to  last  line. — For  Capt.  A.  Compy.,  read  Capt.  A. 
commanding. 

p.  163, 1.  24. — For  Buchanan  read  Buchannan. 
P-  338, 1.  3.— For  Welsh  read  Welch. 


G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons 

New  York  and  London 

Gbe    imfcfcerbocfcer    press 

1911 


LIBRARY 

tJNTVERSITY  OF  CALIFGRJStS 


<»E!:T  ANDCRSON 


An  Artillery  Officer  in 
The  Mexican  War 


1846-7 


Letters  of  Robert  Anderson 

Captain  3rd  Artillery,  U.  S.  A. 


With  a  Prefatory  Word  by  His  Daughter 
Eba  Anderson  Lawton 


With  21  Illustrations 


G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons 

New  York  and  London 
fmfcfcerbocfcer    press 
1911 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFQRJHEK 

PAVIS 


COPYRIGHT,  1911 

BY 

EBA  ANDERSON  LAWTON 


tTbe  ftnfcberbocber  prcee,  «cw> 


IN  MEMORY  OF 

MY    MOTHER 

TO  WHOM  THESE  LETTERS  WERE  WRITTEN 


INTRODUCTION 

HPHE  story  of  the  war  which  was  carried  on  between 
I  the  United  States  and  Mexico  during  the  years 
1846,  1847,  and  1848  constitutes  an  interesting  and 
brilliant  chapter  in  the  history  of  the  nation.  The 
record  of  the  campaigns  of  the  little  American  army 
makes  also  a  distinctive  contribution  to  the  history 
of  war.  Since  this  war  was  brought  to  a  close,  more 
than  half  a  century  has  passed.  Two  generations  have 
come  and  gone,  and  the  scenes  and  events  of  these 
campaigns  now  belong  to  history  or  to  tradition,  while 
the  art  of  war  itself  has  been  very  materially  modified. 
The  deeds  of  brave  men  belong,  however,  to  all  genera 
tions  and  a  record  of  heroism  and  of  patriotism  serves 
to  maintain  the  noblest  impulses  of  human  nature. 

The  narrative  in  question  falls  naturally  into  three 
divisions:  first,  an  analysis  of  the  causes  of  the  war, 
second,  an  account  of  the  conduct  of  the  campaign,  and  j 
third,  the  actual  consequences  of  the  war. 

"The  opening  scene  of  the  Mexican  War  aroused  the 
country  to  a  fever  heat  by  reason  of  the  tragic  con 
ditions  that  surrounded  it.  The  first  contention  was 
over  a  narrow  strip  of  comparatively  worthless  territory, 
lying  between  the  Nueces  River  and  the  Rio  Grande. 
The  acquisition  of  Texas  had  led  to  the  necessity  of 
occupying  the  new  boundary  on  the  southwest,  and 
General  Zachary  Taylor  with  a  portion  of  our  small 
regular  army  was  sent  to  check  any  advance  of  Mexi 
cans  into  the  lately  acquired  territory. 


vi  Introduction 

"He  was  met  at  the  Nueces  River  by  General 
Ampudia,  in  command  of  the  Mexican  forces,  who 
forbade  him  to  cross  that  river,  claiming  that  the  other 
side  was  undisputably  Mexican  territory.  This  demand 
General  Taylor  declined  to  accede  to,  and,  crossing  the 
Nueces,  he  proceeded  at  once  to  the  left  bank  of  the 
Rio  Grande,  where  he  threw  up  a  fieldwork,  and  placing 
in  it  a  small  garrison,  he  then  moved  the  main  body 
of  his  troops  to  the  mouth  of  the  river,  for  the  purpose 
of  bringing  up  supplies  and  reinforcements.  No  sooner 
had  he  turned  his  back,  than  Ampudia  with  a  large 
force  crossed  the  Rio  Grande,  besieged  the  earthwork 
afterwards  known  as  Fort  Brown,  and  prepared  to 
dispute  General  Taylor's  return. 

"This  was  the  situation  that  aroused  the  whole 
Southern  Country,  especially  the  people  of  New  Orleans 
and  Mobile,  as  these  were  the  points  of  embarkation 
for  the  seat  of  war.  It  was  feared  that  the  fort  would 
be  captured  and  its  garrison  massacred,  and  that 
General  Taylor  with  his  very  inferior  force  might  be 
cut  to  pieces. 

"A  hundred  thousand  men  would  have  embarked 
at  once  with  their  own  rifles  and  shotguns  if  trans 
portation  could  have  been  provided  for  them.  All  the 
cities  of  the  South  were  the  scenes  of  intense  excitement, 
which  was  only  relieved  by  the  glorious  news  that  was 
soon  to  come. 

"In  the  meantime,  General  Taylor,  fully  aware  of 
what  was  going  on  up  the  river,  prepared  to  return, 
raise  the  siege  of  Fort  Brown,  and  confront  the  enemy. 
His  little  army  was  composed  of  superb  material.  Years 
of  peace  had  served  to  recruit  a  fine  class  of  men  at  the 
comfortable  and  attractive  posts  on  the  Northwestern 
frontier;  the  troops  included  school  teachers,  lawyers, 


Introduction  vii 

physicians,  and  merchants,  who  had  found  their  several 
vocations  overstocked,  or  who  had  been  obliged  to 
yield  the  way  to  men  of  more  push  and  energy,  and  had 
sought  a  temporary  refuge  in  the  army.  A  more  intel 
ligent  body  of  soldiers  could  not  be  found  in  any  army 
in  the  world.  Each  man  was  a  host  in  himself,  and 
each  had  a  personal  ambition  to  gratify.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  Mexicans  had  become  inspired  with  the 
idea  that,  compared  with  themselves,  "the  barbarians 
of  the  North"  were  an  altogether  contemptible  lot, 
and  so  it  was  with  a  good  deal  of  confidence  that  they 
undertook  to  interpose  themselves  between  General 
Taylor  and  the  little  garrison  of  Fort  Brown. 

"On  a  beautiful  day  of  May,  1846,  on  the  now  his 
toric  field  of  Palo  Alto,  the  Mexican  army  was  drawn 
up  in  line  of  battle,  with  the  artillery  in  position,  sup 
ported  by  a  body  of  infantry,  and  flanked  by  squadrons 
of  cavalry.  General  Taylor,  arriving  within  sight  of 
this  impressive  array,  quickly  formed  his  marching 
columns  into  line,  and  true  to  his  familiar  name  of 
'Rough  and  Ready,'  gave  battle  at  once. 

"The  field  batteries  opened  their  fire  with  a  quickness 
that  astonished  the  Mexicans,  while  their  rapid  dis 
charge  mowed  down  the  infantry  as  with  a  scythe.  For 
a  time  the  Mexicans,  in  spite  of  the  terrible  fire,  bravely 
held  their  ground,  and  many  of  our  gallant  officers  and 
soldiers  fell  before  them;  but  soon  their  ranks  began 
to  waver,  and  then  'Old  Zack'  ordered  his  cavalry 
to  charge,  which  they  did  with  a  terrible  effect.  It  was 
too  much  for  the  enemy,  who  broke  and  fled  and  who 
could  not  be  rallied.  But  the  American  forces,  after 
the  fatiguing  march  in  the  sun,  were  in  no  condition  to 
pursue  them,  and  the  army  rested  on  the  field  it  had 
so  bravely  won. 


viii  Introduction 

"The  next  morning  found  the  Mexicans  recovering 
somewhat  from  their  surprise,  and  with  renewed  cour 
age  taking  up  another  position  in  the  rear  of  the  one 
they  had  abandoned,  known  as  Resaca  de  la  Palma. 
It  is  unnecessary  to  enter  into  details.  Suffice  it  to  say 
that  the  9th  of  May  by  its  signal  victory  added  new 
lustre  to  the  glory  of  the  8th.  The  Mexicans  were 
utterly  routed,  seeking  safety  in  precipitous  flight  or 
death  by  drowning  in  the  river. 

"Fort  Brown  and  its  heroic  garrison,  that  had  so 
nobly  repelled  every  assault,  was  relieved,  and  a  new 
chaplet  of  fame  had  been  won  for  our  gallant  little 
army.  Subsequently  the  army  crossed  the  Rio  Grande 
into  the  enemy's  country.  The  capture  of  Monterey 
after  a  hard  fought  and  bloody  battle  soon  followed. 
And  then  came  the  glorious  and  surprising  victory  of 
Buena  Vista  where  the  enemy,  commanded  by  Santa 
Anna  in  person,  outnumbered  our  brave  soldiers  more 
than  four  to  one,  but  the  latter  had  become  veterans 
of  experience. 

"The  seat  of  war  was  now  transferred  to  the  Gulf, 
where  the  army  and  navy  united  in  the  siege  and  cap 
ture  of  Vera  Cruz  and  of  the  strongly  fortified  Castle 
of  San  Juan  d'Uloa  that  defended  the  harbor.  Then 
began,  under  General  Winfield  Scott,  who,  true  to  his 
name,  never  lost  a  battle,  the  long  march  for  the 
capitol,  the  halls  of  the  .Montezumas. 

"Scott  was  now  to  achieve,  on  the  lines  followed 
by  the  great  Cortez  four  centuries  before,  the  second 
conquest  of  Mexico.  Cerro  Gordo,  a  marvellously 
strong  position,  was  turned  by  strategic  skill,  and  city 
after  city  threw  open  its  gates  until  the  victorious 
columns  stood  on  the  summit  of  the  mountain  range 
that  overlooked  the  magnificent  valley  with  the  splen- 


Introduction  « 

did  City  of  Mexico  nestled  in  the  centre.  Scott  had  a 
mere  handful  of  men  compared  with  the  legions  that 
the  world's  great  conquerors  had  led  to  battle,  and  if 
this  army  failed  there  was  no  retreat,  and  little  hope 
for  reinforcement.  Down  the  mountainsides  and  into 
the  great  valley  the  army  hastened,  to  the  accomplish 
ment  of  the  work  before  it. 

"A  city  on  an  island,  in  a  lake,  with  no  approach 
except  by  narrow  causeways  bristling  with  cannon! 
The  army  advanced,  but  not  to  the  place  prepared  for 
them,  where  a  victory  would  have  been  next  to  a  defeat, 
but  by  a  flank  movement,  executed  with  military 
genius,  it  succeeded  in  turning  the  elaborate  and  for 
midable  fortifications  at  El  Pinon. 

"Yet  there  were  battles  to  be  fought,  and  won,  before 
the  prize  could  be  grasped.  There  was  Contreras  and 
Cherubusco,  Molino  del  Rey  and  Chapultepec,  and 
then  the  Garrittas  bristling  with  cannon  was  to  be 
captured.  These  places  all  fell  in  turn,  some  of  them 
with  heavy  loss.  But  what  deeds  of  valor,  what 
heroism,  what  dauntless  courage  did  that  little  army 
exhibit !  Scant  has  been  the  meed  of  praise  those  heroes 
so  dearly  earned.  Few  have  been  the  laurel  wreaths 
upon  the  graves  of  those  who  'poured  their  life's 
blood  freely  out  "pro  bono  publico. " ' 

"There  are  few  deeds  in  all  the  history  of  war  to  be 
compared  with  the  contests  of  that  little  army  that 
fought  its  way  step  by  step  to  the  heart  of  the  great 
republic  of  the  South,  and  whose  campaigns  were  fol 
lowed  by  the  acquisition  of  the  vast  treasure  house  of 
the  continent,  from  which  the  world  has  received  more 
gold  and  silver  than  in  all  time  it  had  before  possessed. 

"To  crown  it  all  we  restored  to  Mexico  the  country 
that  we  had  so  gallantly  won,  and  we  gave  also  sufficient 


x  Introduction 

means  to  enable  the  race  that  had  so  long  neglected 
its  opportunities  to  enter  on  a  career  of  industry,  of 
usefulness,  and  of  honor.  A  full  measure  of  prosperity, 
and  a  national  security  never  before  experienced,  have 
been  the  result.  No  one  is  now  more  gladly  welcomed 
or  more  honored  in  Mexico  than  an  American. 

"To  us  as  a  nation,  the  Mexican  War  was  a  grand 
lesson  of  patriotism  and  a  glorious  exhibition  of  patri 
otic  valor. 

"This  brief  outline  of  the  campaign  enables  us  to 
understand  the  part  taken  in  it  by  Anderson.  Nothing 
could  have  given  him  more  poignant  distress  than  the 
decision  made  by  the  War  Department  which  desig 
nated  his  company  among  those  that  were  to  garrison 
the  forts  on  the  seaboard. 

"Notwithstanding  the  requirements  for  troops  in 
Mexico,  it  was,  of  course,  not  practicable  to  leave  the 
home  stations  entirely  without  garrisons.  Anderson's 
company  was  ordered  from  Fort  Moultrie  first  to  Fort 
Marion,  and  then  to  Fort  Brook.  This  did  not  meet 
with  the  approbation  of  the  young  captain  of  artillery 
who  had  left  the  staff  for  the  line  as  a  shorter  road  to 
active  service,  and  he  was  well  pleased  when  after  a 
second  application  to  the  Adjutant-General,  orders 
came  for  Company  *G'  to  embark  for  the  seat  of  war. 
Palo  Alto,  Resaca,  and  Monterey  had  already  crowned 
the  little  army  with  glory,  and  Genl.  Scott  was  busy 
with  the  organization  of  his  army  for  invasion  by  way 
of  Vera  Cruz."1 

This  resume  of  the  inception  and  history  of  the 
Mexican  War  leads  us  up  to  the  date  of  the  beginning 
of  Captain  Anderson's  letters  to  his  wife. 

These  letters  are  given  without  comment  or  notes. 

1  From  an  unpublished  Life  of  General  Anderson  by  General  Viele. 


Introduction  *i 

All  matters  of  a  personal  character  are  eliminated,  as 
this  book  has  been  planned  to  present  the  events  of 
the  Mexican  War  in  which  he  took  part,  and  not  those 
of  his  intimate  home  life. 

The  letters  of  the  young  Captain  present  a  vivid  and 
valuable  picture  of  the  campaign.  If  we  compare 
these  pages  with  other  narratives  of  the  campaign,  we 
may  be  struck  with  a  similarity  of  wording.  Anderson 
mentions  several  persons  who  applied  to  him  for  memp- 
randa  from  his  Journal  and  who  afterwards  published 
histories  of  the  Mexican  War.  He  also  speaks  of  Colonel 
Hitchcock,  who  on  the  3rd  October  "did  me  the  honor 
to  read  to  me  a  proposed  Introduction  to  a  number  of 
Letters  written  in  the  City  on  the  2Oth  of  August, 
requesting  my  suggestion  of  any  alterations  that  might 
occur  to  me."  On  the  4th  October  he  writes  his  wife 
that  not  until  the  preceding  day  did  he  learn  that 
"Genl.  Scott  had,  about  the  iQth  of  last  November, 
made  application  for  me  to  be  appointed  Asst.  Adjt. 
Genl.  with  the  rank  of  Major  to  enable  him  to  select 
me  as  Chief  of  his  Staff. " 

One  reading  Anderson's  letter  giving  an  account  of 
the  Battle  of  Molino  del  Rey,  would  hardly  realize 
that  he  was  the  hero  of  the  day.  I  quote  from  a  very 
long  article,  entitled  "  Captain  Robert  Anderson,"  which 
appeared  in  the  New  Orleans  Delta,  a  few  sentences, 
showing  the  estimate  in  which  his  services  on  that 
occasion  were  held.  "The  gallant  Kentuckian,  who 
from  the  bombardment  of  Vera  Cruz  to  the  brilliant 
and  perilous  assault  on  El-Molino-del-Rey,  has  been  a 
distinguished  actor.  .  .  .  We  wish  to  add  some  par 
ticular  details  of  that  heroic  exploit,  assuredly  one  of 
the  most  brilliant  as  well  as  bloody  of  the  war,  which 
have  reached  us  from  an  authentic  source.  .  .  .  The 


xii  Introduction 

capture  of  this  point,  against  such  odds,  and  Captain 
Anderson's  part  in  it,  were  pronounced  by  a  gallant 
and  distinguished  officer,  who  bore  an  important  com 
mand  on  that  occasion,  as  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
achievements  of  the  war.  .  .  .  The  fighting  and  excite 
ment  being  over,  Capt.  Anderson  became  faint  from 
loss  of  blood,  and  he  was  compelled  to  lie  down, — to 
rest  literally  on  the  bed  of  honor." 

In  closing  this  introduction  I  wish  to  draw  the  atten 
tion  of  my  readers  to  three  salient  points  in  Anderson's 
character,  which  shine  forth  clear  as  the  sunshine  in 
these,  his  private  letters  to  his  wife,  and  which,  with 
his  love  of  country,  distinguished  him  through  life:  his 
deep  religious  feeling,  his  self-abnegation,  and  his  mo 
desty.  Before  the  battle  of  El-Molino-del-Rey,  he 
writes,  "Should  God  spare  my  life,  I  will  resume  this 
letter  the  earliest  moment  after  Victory."  In  one  of 
his  early  letters,  January  28,  1847,  he  speaks  of  having 
a  memorial  signed  by  the  officers  for  his  "hobby" — 
the  founding  of  a  retreat  for  old  soldiers.  From  1837 
to  1851,  he  had  worked  over  this  plan.  He  had  five 
bills  introduced  into  Congress,  the  first  in  1840,  and 
the  last  on  March  3,  1851 ;  this  was  passed  by  a  large 
majority.  He  had  wished  the  place  to  be  called  the 
"Soldiers'  Retreat,"  in  memory  of  the  Kentucky  home 
of  his  father,  Colonel  Richard  Clough  Anderson,  and  of 
his  own  birthplace.  From  the  Louisville  Times  I  quote 
the  following,  which,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  his  right 
as  the  Founder  of  the  Home  is  now  generally  ignored, 
speaks  better  for  his  unselfishness  and  self-abnegation 
than  for  the  gratitude  of  republics.  "The  humane 
sentiment  which  impelled  Major  Anderson  to  urge  the 
establishment  of  such  an  institution,  and  the  unceasing 
and  laborious  zeal  and  perseverance  with  which  he  has 


Introduction  xii* 

pursued  his  conception  to  its  final  consummation,  confer 
undying  honor  on  him,  and  form  a  beautiful  appendix 
to  the  glory  his  sword  has  so  gallantly  won  in  fighting 
the  battles  of  his  country."  Anderson's  letter  of  Feb 
ruary  24th  is  very  characteristic.  Col.  Gates  had 
selected  him  as  his  associate  at  Tampico.  Col.  Bank- 
head  told  him,  "that  next  to  the  officers  of  his  own 
Regiment,  he  would  rather  have  me  with  him  than  any 
one  else. "  "  General  Scott  said  that  he  wanted  me  in  the 
trenches  with  him."  Anderson  adds,  "There  is  so  much 
in  the  preceding  which  would  not  be  written  to  any  one 
else  but  yourself  as  it  looks  exceedingly  like  egotism,  that 
I  hope  you  will  not  read,  or  let  it  be  read  by  any  one." 
My  noble  father  will  forgive  his  daughter  for  making 
public  at  this  time  confidences  which  were  intended 
only  for  his  wife.  She  can  but  feel,  however,  that  after 
an  interval  of  64  years,  it  is  fitting  that  his  countrymen 
should  secure  a  clearer  understanding  of  his  character 
and  of  his  service.  It  is  indeed  proper,  if  only  as  a 
matter  of  historic  justice,  that  after  more  than  half  a 
century  of  silence,  Anderson's  fellow-citizens  should 
realize  that  his  action  at  Fort  Sumter  was  only  a  logical 
consummation  of  a  life  spent  in  devotion  to  his  country. 
The  memoir  of  General  Anderson,  as  presented  in  his 
Journals  and  Correspondence,  is  to  be  published  shortly 
by  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons.  The  preparation  of  this 
memoir  has  been  undertaken  by  his  daughter,  not  only 
as  a  task  of  filial  duty,  but  also  for  the  service  of  the 
community  and  with  the  conviction  that  the  world  will 
be  richer  for  the  record  of  the  lifework  of  a  high-minded 
and  noble  Christian  patriot. 

EBA  ANDERSON  LAWTON. 
NEW  YORK,  September,  1911. 


xvi  Illustrations 

PAGE 

PUEBLA  DE  Los  ANGELES       .         .         .         .         .     176 

MEXICAN  WATER  CARRIERS  .         .         .         .         .188 
From  a  photograph 

SCENE  IN  A  MEXICAN  MARKET       ,         .         .         .     204 

Detroit  Photo.  Co. 

VIEW  OF  MOUNT  IZTACCIHUATL  FROM  THE  EAST       .    242 

From  an  old  photograph 

THE  PYRAMID  OF  CHOLULA    .         .         .         .         .     252 

Redrawn  from  an  old  print 

MAKING  TORTILLAS       .  ,      .        .         »        .         .262 

Detroit  Photo.  Co. 

A  VIEW  OF  POPOCATEPETL  FROM  PUEBLA         .         .     282 

From  an  old  photograph 

SCENE  AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  MOLINO  DEL  REY    .         .     310 

From  an  engraving  of  the  painting  by  Chappel 

THE  BATTLE  OF  CHAPULTEPEC        .         .         .         .314 

From  an  engraving  by  J.  Duthie  after  the  painting  by 
H.  Billings 

MEXICO    CITY    LOOKING    SOUTHWEST    FROM    THE 

CATHEDRAL   .        ^ 328 


FORT  BROOKE,  FLA. 
Dec.  7,  1846. 

GENL.  R.  JONES,  Adjt.-Genl. 
General : 

I  have  the  honor  most  respectfully  and  earnestly  to 
solicit  orders  for  "  G  "  Co.,  3rd  Arty.,  to  report  forthwith 
for  duty  in  the  field.  The  Company,  having  been  raised  to 
a  total  of  86  by  the  arrival  of  the  recruits  under  Lt.  Brown, 
is  now  ready  and  desirous  to  join  the  Army  in  Mexico. 
From  conversations  with  Lt.  Brown,  I  think  I  may  safely 
promise,  that  these  recruits  will,  by  the  time  an  answer  is 
received  to  this  application,  and  before  they  can  sail,  be 
pretty  well  prepared  for  taking  their  places  in  the  ranks  of 
the  Company.  The  place  of  "  G  "  Co.,  as  part  of  this 
command,  might,  I  think,  be  easily  and  properly  filled  by 
one  of  the  companies  of  the  ist  Arty.,  now  being  raised  at 
the  North.  This  arrangement,  certainly  satisfactory  to  the 
officers  of  the  ist  Arty.,  would  enable  the  War  Dept.  to 
send  to  Genl.  Taylor's  Army,  a  company  excellently  well 
armed  and  equipped,  which  contains  a  respectable  propor 
tion  of  well  educated  old  soldiers,  in  place  of  one  of  raw 
recruits. 

Hoping  that  a  favorable  answer  may  be  soon  received  to 
this  application, 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain, 

ROBERT  ANDERSON, 

Capt.  3rd  Arty. 


An  Artillery  Officer  in  Mexico 


FORT  BROOK,  FLORIDA, 
December  28,  1846. 

AFTER  gazing  from  the  hill-top,  near  which  we  se 
parated,  until  I  could  see  nothing  more  of  the  two 
rapidly  receding  conveyances  which  carried  away  from 
me  my  all,  I  returned  with  a  heavy  heart  to  our  home. 
About  9  o'clock  the  poor  Major  came  in  and  sat  with  me 
for  a  few  minutes.  Poor  father,  his  afflictions  are 
very  heavy;  he  read  me  part  of  a  letter  from  his  son 
at  Pensacola  to  his  mother,  urging  her  to  come  and  live 
with  and  comfort  his  father.  The  letter  was  a  very 
affecting  one,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  insanity  of 
John,  would  probably  have  started  Mrs.  W.  for  Tampa. 
Of  John,  the  accounts  are  somewhat  favorable;  he  is  in 
the  Asylum, — but  his  Uncle  thinks  that  the  affliction 
is  rather  bodily  than  mental.  God  grant  that  he  may 
be  right.  The  Major  has  been  so  kind  that  I  could  not 
help  giving  the  substance  of  his  evening's  communica 
tion.  He  spoke  of  our  separation  with  much  feeling. 
I  am  employing  myself  as  busily  as  possible  in  get 
ting  ready.  God  grant  that  I  may  hear  before  we 
start  of  your  getting  on  well.  Some  person  may  come 
in  who  met  you  on  the  road.  Be  assured  that  I  shall 
keep  a  good  lookout  that  no  one  may  come  in  without 
my  questioning  them  about  you. 


2  An  Artillery  Officer 

Mr.  Capron  told  me  this  morning  that  Mrs.  Steiner 
had,  he  believed,  given  up  the  idea  of  going  across  the 
country.  She  thinks  of  spending  the  winter  here,  and 
going  to  Ohio  in  the  spring.  I  hope  for  Mrs.  Capron' s 
rsake  that  the  original  intention  may  be  carried  out, 
as  she  will  be  very  unpleasantly  situated  at  this  out 
of  the  way  place  without  a  protector.  Corporal  and 
Mrs.  Hannel  come  to  my  room  every  day  to  make  up 
my  bed,  sweep  the  floor,  etc.  I  have  seen  the  Sutler- 
he  will  take  all  of  the  eatables,  etc.,  I  have  on  hand. 
I  am  to  send  him  the  cooking  utensils,  etc.,  this  after 
noon.  The  carpenters  are  at  work  to-day  on  my  camp 
bedstead,  and  the  tailor  is  botching  my  jacket  and 
pants — thus  you  see  that  I  have  not  been  unmindful  of 
your  requests. 

The  papers  which  I  have  examined  closely  give 
no  certain  intelligence  about  our  vessel.  A  barque 
cleared  from  New  York  on  the  nth  inst.  for 
Tampico.  This  may  be  our  vessel.  It  is  the  Floyd. 
I  shall  write  you  by  the  next  mail — that  is,  you  may  ex 
pect  to  receive  another  letter  from  this  post,  whether 
I  am  here  on  mail  day  or  not,  as,  if  I  leave,  I  shall 
write  you  the  day  we  sail.  The  men  seem  anxious  to 
go ;  everything  is  now  ready  for  the  vessel. 

I  have  not  mentioned  that  I  have  joined  the  mess  at 
Mr.  Allen's — breakfast  8:30,  dinner  i,  and  tea  at  re 
treat.  We  keep  country  hours,  differing  slightly  from 
our  household  arrangements.  Let  us  see  how  my 
calculations  of  your  daily  journeys  agree  with  the 
facts.  Last  night  I  supposed  you  camped  near  Capt. 
Bradley's,  to-night  I  shall  locate  you  about  ten  miles 
beyond  Col.  Pearson's.  I  pray  God  that  no  accident 
may  occur  on  your  journey,  and  that  you  may  soon 
reach  home  enjoying  excellent  health.  Our  prayers 


In  Mexico  3 

will  meet,  I  hope,  nightly  in  Heaven,  as  we  pray  for 
our  own  family.  This  thought  will  comfort  my  heart. 

Here  you  have  on  this  part  of  the  paper  the  in 
formation  I  should  have  given  you  before  we  parted. 
It  may  be  best  to  sell  the  articles  through  Capt. 
Hanham,  if  Col.  M.  does  not  want  them.  Do  as  you 
think  best.  Say  to  Col.  M.  that  Dr.  Curry  has  just 
informed  me  that  he  will  deliver  to  him  at  Longwood 
his  two  mules  for  $165.  One  is  a  very  large  one,  and 
works  kindly  in  harness  anywhere.  Mrs.  C.,he  says, 
has  driven  him  in  a  buggy.  The  smaller  one,  he  says, 
is  also  an  excellent  animal.  The  large  mule  cost  him 
$140.  Their  ages  he  thinks  6  and  8.  If  an  answer  be 
sent  at  once  the  mules  may  be  sent  by  Dr.  Steiner  or 
Mrs.  Capron's  party.  Dr.  Curry  is  to  be  Capt. 
Sprague's  medico.  And  now  I  '11  wish  you  good- 
evening  till  after  tea. 

6 130.  Just  returned  from  tea.  Capt.  Sprague  thinks 
that  you  are  to-night  about  fifteen  miles  beyond  Col. 
Pearson's,  and  that  to-morrow  night  you  will  encamp 
fifteen  miles  beyond  the  Withlacoochee.  This  is  a 
better  allowance  for  your  day's  travel  than  I  have 
given.  I  do  not  think  that  you  can  reach  Col.  Madi 
son's  earlier  than  Wednesday  eve.,  he  imagines  that 
you  may  reach  there  on  Tuesday.  Oh !  that  this  letter 
could  call  to  you  as  you  enter  the  mail  boat  at  Palatka 
and  tell  you  of  its  being  on  board  for  you.  It  will  be 
on  board  the  same  boat  all  the  way  to  St.  Mary's, 
and  you  cannot  read  it  till  you  reach  home,  nearly  four 
days  after  your  having  been  almost  within  arm's 
reach  of  it. 

I  have  not  paid  a  visit  since  you  left.  I  saw  every 
body  in  church  on  Sunday,  but  spoke  to  no  one  but 
Mrs.  Astell — who  kindly  approached  me  and  asked 


4  An  Artillery  Officer 

when  I  left  you  and  how  I  left  you.  I  suppose  that  I 
ought  to  go  in  to  see  the  Astells — I  shall  probably 
go  nowhere  else.  I  am  sorry  for  poor  Mrs.  Capron, 
and  hope  something  may  occur  to  give  her  a  safe  and 
agreeable  escort  to  her  friends. 

You  must  not  omit  telling  your  father  that  Col. 
Madison  left  your  Uncle  John  my  calf  about  which  I 
wrote  him  last  summer.  She  is  now  about  18  months 
old,  of  Mr.  Clay's  best  stock,  her  mother  imported  by 
Col.  Morgan  of  Ky.  I  left  her  with  Col.  Hanson  sub 
ject  to  my  order — intending  to  have  requested  you  to 
send  for  her  in  the  event  of  my  not  returning  to  St. 
Augustine — but  he  neglected  her,  and  Col.  Madison 
very  kindly  and  properly  took  her  away.  I  wish  your 
father  would  get  her  while  she  is  young,  as  I  would  like 
him  to  have  her  stock  on  his  plantation,  and  when 
I  get  within  striking  distance  I  will  either  want  her 
again  or  one  of  her  calves. 

You  see  that  I  introduce  all  my  business  affairs — I 
do  this  to  keep  my  mind  from  my  lonesomeness,  and 
also  under  the  fear  that  after  I  get  away  from  here  my 
mind  may  be  so  much  occupied  that  these  trifles  may 
escape  me.  I  had  intended  writing  to  one  of  my 
brothers  by  this  mail,  but  I  must  put  it  off  till  the  next 
one.  When  our  boxes  are  shipped  from  here  I  shall 
request  Mr.  Clark  to  inform  you  of  it.  And  now  I 
must  bid  you  good-night.  Let  us  try  to  be  grateful  to 
Him  for  the  mercies  with  which  He  blesses  us.  I 
shall  expect  to  find  a  letter  from  you  in  the  first  arrival 
from  New  Orleans  after  I  reach  Tampico. 

FORT  BROOK,  FLORIDA, 
December  29,  1846. 

The  expected  vessel  has  arrived — she  is  a  brig 
belonging  to  the  Government,  called  John  Potter, 


In  Mexico  5 

which  sailed  from  New  York  on  the  I4th  inst.  having 
made  therefore  a  very  quick  passage.  We  are  to  com 
mence  loading  in  the  morning  and  will  sail  as  soon  as 
possible.  This  letter  in  which  I  propose  writing  a 
little  every  day  will  give  you  the  time  when.  Lt. 
Burke,  Adjt.  of  the  1st  Arty.,  came  passenger.  He  ac 
companies  us  to  Tampico,  as  he  will  remain  with 
Maj.  Whiting  who  will  be  the  commander  of  the 
Regt.  I  have  been  busy  to-day  sending  down  our 
goods  and  chattels  to  the  Sutler's. 

Dec.  3Oth.  I  had  written  thus  far  last  evening, 
when  the  Sergt.  came  in  with  some  papers  for  me  to 
examine  and  sign,  and  I  was  engaged  until  some  time 
after  tattoo  before  I  finished  my  labors.  To-day  we 
have  been  getting  some  of  the  Company's  property 
on  board — the  vessel  is  so  far  down  (below  the  island) 
that  we  work  very  slowly.  In  private  business  I  have 
done  pretty  well.  Mr.  Clark  has  settled  with  me  as 
far  as  he  can;  he  has  a  Mem.  of  all  the  articles  left, 
and  has  given  me  a  copy.  He  will  take  a  favorable 
time  for  selling  everything.  I  have  written  to  Mr. 
Adger  informing  him  that  one  tierce,  one  trunk,  and 
three  boxes  would  be  sent  to  him.  I  have  requested  him 
to  keep  them  in  store  until  he  hears  from  me  or  from 
you.  The  Capt.  of  the  Potter  thinks  we  will  run  over 
in  eight  days.  He  thinks  that  we  have  an  abundance 
of  provisions.  We  shall  not  touch  at  the  Balize. 

Mrs.  C.  has,  I  hear  to-day,  decided  to  accompany 
Mrs.  S.  on  the  New  Orleans  to  Baton  Rouge  Barracks. 
If  I  had  Mrs.  S.'s  money  I  do  not  think  I  would  ever 
think  of  living  at  barracks  whilst  separated  from  my 
husband.  Poor  Mrs.  C.  would,  I  suppose,  have  to  go  to 
Kamchatka  if  Mrs.  S.  goes  there,  as  she  has  no  one  to 


6  An  Artillery  Officer 

take  charge  of  her.  I  thank  God  that  you  have  not 
been  dependent  on  any  of  them  for  anything. 

I  hope  that  we  may  not  get  off  until  after  the  mail 
comes  in,  as  I  may  get  a  line  from  my  wife.  What  a 
relief  it  would  give  me  to  know  that  you  had  gone  on 
without  accident  after  I  left  you.  It  cannot  be  pos 
sible  that  I  am  not  to  hear  from  you  until  I  reach  Tam- 
pico,  and  probably  not  until  after  I  have  been  two  or 
three  weeks  there !  God  has  been  so  full  of  mercies  and 
kindnesses  towards  me  and  mine  that  I  cherish  the  belief 
and  hope  that  when  I  do  hear,  the  news  will  be  good. 

My  camp  bedstead  and  everything  is  now  ready. 
I  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  pack.  I  have  decided  not 
to  take  sheets.  Good-night. 

ON  BOARD  THE  "JOHN  POTTER," 

FORT  BROOK,  FLORIDA, 
Thursday,  December  31,  1846. 

This  has  been  a  busy  day.  It  being  muster  day,  I 
have  of  course  had  writing  to  attend  to,  and  we  have 
been  engaged  sending  our  stores  on  board.  The 
distance  by  the  channel  to  the  position  of  the  brig  is 
about  nine  miles.  My  private  affairs  have  not  been 
neglected,  the  cow  having  been  sold  at  a  loss  of  only 
one  sixth.  The  carpenters  and  sail-makers  have 
finished  their  work  for  the  Company,  and  all  are  now 
ready  to  start  as  soon  as  we  can  get  on  board.  The 
chances  are  now  that  we  cannot  leave  before  Saturday 
or  perhaps  Sunday.  To-morrow  night's  mail  may 
bring  a  letter  from  you ;  oh,  how  sincerely  do  I  hope  it 
may  if  it  be  only  two  lines  to  say  you  are  well. 

Friday  Night,  January  i,  1847. 
The  beginning  of  a  New  Year.     God  grant  that 


In  Mexico  7 

it  may  bring  happiness  to  us — that  we  may  this  year  so 
live  as  to  thank  our  Heavenly  Father  for  the  bless 
ings  it  brought.  Not  a  line  to-night  from  you — this  is 
as  I  anticipated ;  my  reason  told  me  it  would  be  so ; 
hope  whispered  that  I  might  hear. 

I  send  a  sweet  letter  to  you  from  Mrs.  Clinch. 
It  was  written  before  the  receipt  of  my  letter  announc 
ing  my  having  received  orders.  No  other  letter  came 
but  a  very  affectionate  one  from  William  with  a  short 
one  from  his  son  Tom.  I  must  answer  them  to-night 
as  it  is  probable  that  I  shall  be  on  board  to-morrow 
night.  Everything  or  rather  nearly  everything  is  now 
done.  It  is  proposed  to  get  the  men  on  board  to-morrow, 
and  early  the  next  day,  that  we  may  sail  on  Sunday. 
This  may  therefore  be  the  last  night  I  shall  sleep  in 
my  old  quarters.  Although  you  are  gone,  yet  there  is 
something  a  little  touched  with  mournfulness  in  the 
idea  of  my  going  out  of  the  old  rooms  not  to  return 
into  them  again. 

To-day  I  have  packed  and  had  the  Company's  desk 
boxed  and  commenced  packing  my  mess  chest.  I 
find  that  I  have  plenty  of  room.  I  think  even  of  taking 
the  soup  digester  with  me.  Good  soup  would  not  be 
amiss  even  at  Tampico.  Some  of  the  ladies  expected, 
I  am  told,  New  Year's  calls.  I  have  been  so  much  en 
gaged  that  had  I  been  ever  so  much  inclined,  I  could 
not  have  gone  round.  Without  anything  to  do,  my 
inclination  would  have  kept  me  at  home.  As  my  red 
ink  is  boxed  up,  I  must  attempt  crossing  with  this. 
To-morrow  you  will  perhaps  leave  Longwood. 

Saturday  Night,  January  2,  1847. 
Here  I  am  on  board  our  good  brig;  nearly  all  the 
men  are  down;  to-morrow  morning  we  shall  sail  as  soon 


8  An  Artillery  Officer 

as  the  remainder  (about  twenty)  are  on  board  with  the 
Major  and  other  officers.  I  preferred  coming  down  to 
day  with  the  Command,  so  as  to  give  Lt.  Capron  as 
much  time  with  his  poor  wife  as  possible.  I  called  to 
say  good-bye  to  her,  and  she  was  very  much  affected. 
I  called  at  Mr.  AstelTs  but  they  were  at  tea.  I 
did  not  have  time  to  call  at  the  Doctor's,  every 
moment  of  my  time  being  taken  up.  Capt.  Sprague 
received  a  long  letter  from  Mr.  Judd.  He  writes  from 
Tampico,  and  says  that  he  has  very  pleasant  quarters 
there.  Col.  Gates  and  Lt.  Col.  Belton  are  there. 
We  expect  to  find  Genl.  Scott  there  with  a  large  force, 
as  the  papers  are  filled  with  accounts  of  the  move 
ments  of  Volunteers  towards  that  place.  There  was  a 
rumor  to-day  of  Col.  Andrews  being  on  his  way — if  so, 
you  must  have  met  him.  I  hope  if  he  comes  in  to-night 
that  he  will  come  down  to-morrow. 

I  am  exceedingly  anxious  to  hear  from  you,  or  to  see 
some  person  who  has  met  you.  I  fear,  however,  that 
I  shall  have  to  sail  without  this  last  satisfaction.  You 
are,  I  suppose,  on  the  road  from  Col.  M.'s  to  Palatka. 
God  grant  that  you  may  reach  home  in  good  health, 
and  that  you,  finding  how  much  joy  you  impart  to 
others,  may  soon  begin  to  look  upon  the  bright  side  of 
things.  I  shall  write  you  by  every  opportunity,  but 
you  must  not  worry  if  you  do  not  receive  a  letter  every 
mail,  as  opportunities  may  not  occur  so  often  even  as 
that.  As  the  Postmaster  is  to  be  on  board  to-morrow, 
I  shall  not  close  this  letter  to-night. 

ON  BOARD  THE  "JOHN  POTTER," 

Sunday  Morning,  January  3,  1847. 

The  last  boat  load  of  the  Command  is  now  coming, 
and  the  Capt.  of  the  brig  has  gone  in  his  boat  to 


In  Mexico  9 

bring  the  rest  of  the  officers.  This  looks  like  moving.  I 
had  thought  until  last  night  that  I  was  about  taking  my 
departure  from  the  United  States,  but  the  Capt.  says 
that  he  took  papers  from  New  York  exactly  as  if  he 
were  going  from  one  port  to  another  in  the  United 
States.  Indeed  the  march  of  Democracy  is  progressive. 

How  different  to-day  from  the  Sundays  when  we  were 
together — then  all  quiet,  now  all  bustle  and  confusion. 
The  officers  do  very  well  on  board,  but  the  accommoda 
tions  are  not  sufficient  for  the  number  of  men.  We 
have  a  very  comfortable,  airy,  and  commodious  cabin 
on  deck,  they  have  lines  of  berths  extending  the  length 
of  the  hold,  badly  lighted  and  scarcely  ventilated  at 
all.  Fortunate  will  it  be  for  the  men  if  our  trip  is 
short.  The  nights  are  so  pleasant  that  many  of  them 
will  sleep  on  deck. 

Major  Whiting  received  a  letter  from  his  wife  by 
yesterday's  mail.  She  had  heard  of  his  orders  and 
writes  to  him  cheerfully :  tells  him  that  the  Power  who 
has  thus  far  preserved  them  will  continue  his  protec 
tion;  that  he  must  not  be  worried  about  her;  that 
she  and  the  children  will  get  on  very  well.  But  the 
best  of  her  news  is  about  their  son,  whose  condition  is 
favorably  mentioned.  Do  not  forget  to  mention  to 
your  father  that  the  Intelligencer  and  Courier  are  still 
probably  sent  to  Charleston;  they  had  better  be  dis 
continued;  it  is  useless  to  send  them  to  me  as  I  shall 
never  get  them. 

We  take  as  passengers  out  with  us  from  Tampa  Bay 
— the  Clerk  of  the  Court,  Mr.  Wan,  and  the  brother  of 
the  Postmaster.  They  go  to  Mexico  to  seek  their 
fortunes — anything  for  a  change.  The  United  States 
will  be  depopulated  by  their  conquests.  Each  State, 
as  it  is  conquered,  will  be  considered  the  most  desir- 


io  An  Artillery  Officer 

able  part  of  the  world.  Florida  is  no  longer  the  land 
of  promise.  I  have  directed  Mr.  Clark  to  forward  the 
proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  articles  left  with  him  direct 
to  you.  I  gave  our  poultry  and  some  few  things  away. 
It  was  useless  to  take  many  things  with  me,  and  hardly 
worth  while  to  send  others  to  sell.  Having  now  nearly 
reached  the  bottom  of  the  page,  and  finished  re 
writing  the  whole,  I  must  now  bid  you  adieu. 

BRIG  "JOHN  POTTER," 

January  25,  1847. 

Here  we  are  at  anchor  off  the  bar  at  Tampico,  and 
the  steamboat  is  now  approaching  to  tow  us  to  town. 
Hoping  that  an  opportunity  may  present  itself  for 
sending  this  letter,  I  have  determined  to  attempt 
writing,  though  I  fear  from  the  rocking  of  the  boat, 
and  the  confusion  of  all  on  board,  that  my  scrawl 
will  be  illegible.  We  have  had  two  or  three  pretty 
severe  storms,  but  preserved  by  the  Father  of  all 
mercies,  we  are  now  at  our  destined  port.  To-morrow 
week  we  were  where  we  now  are,  and  were  blown  off 
by  a  Norther.  We  are  reduced  to  a  short  allowance 
of  provisions  and  water,  so  that  it  is  well  for  us  that  we 
are  to  get  in  to-day. 

You  do  not  know  how  full  my  heart  has  been  con 
stantly  of  you.  You  will  be,  I  know,  wretched  at  not 
hearing  from  me, — will  think  that  we  are  lost.  Place 
your  confidence,  I  beseech  you,  in  God  who  has  show 
ered  so  many  blessings  on  us  since  our  destinies  have 
been  united.  He  has  protected  both  of  us  in  many 
dangers,  and  will  not  forsake  us  unless  we  forget  Him. 

We  have  a  Mexican  subject  on  board,  but  as  he  does 
not  speak  a  word  of  English,  and  we  have  no  one  on 
board  who  speaks  Spanish,  we  can  get  very  little  in- 


In  Mexico 


ii 


formation  from  him.  We  do  not  know  whether  Genl. 
Scott  is  at  Tampico  or  not.  As  the  steamer  is  now 
alongside,  I  will  stop  writing  a  few  moments,  and  finish 
as  we  go  up  the  river. 

We  are  now  safely  over  the  bar,  and  a  small  boat  is 
on  the  point  of  leaving  us  for  the  Ellen  and  Clara 
which  is  to  sail  to  New  Orleans  in  the  morning.  I  shall 
send  this  scrawl  as  I  may  not  have  an  opportunity  of 
writing  again.  A  steamer  is  now  coming  down  from  Tam 
pico  to  tow  us  up — we  having  sent  the  one  that  brought 
us  over  the  bar  to  tow  a  bark,  which  is  said  to  have 
troops  on  board.  As  I  shall  not  have  an  opportunity 
of  sending  this  off  T  will  take  it  up  to  Tampico  with  me. 

Off  Tampico.  Finding  that  the  letter  I  have  writ 
ten  since  we  anchored  is  but  little  better  written  than 
this,  I  think  I  shall  send  this.  The  next  time  I  write, 
I  hope  that  my  hand  and  head  will  both  have  recovered 
from  the  effects  of  sea-sickness.  I  am  truly  rejoiced 
that  you  had  no  sea  voyage  to  take  to  reach  home. 
All  on  board,  except  Major  Whiting,  suffered  very 
much ;  the  Major  has  improved  very  much.  He  looks 
much  better  than  he  did  at  Tampa  Bay. 

I  hope  to  find  a  letter  from  you  in  the  first  mail  from 
New  Orleans.  Were  it  not  that  I  am  exceedingly  de 
sirous  you  should  hear  from  me  by  the  earliest  oppor 
tunity,  I  would  not  send  you  this  letter  as  really  I  am 
ashamed  of  my  writing.  But  as  I  am  writing,  or 
rather  attempting  to  write,  on  a  ship's  table,  and  at  this 
time  with  a  very  bad  light,  and  as  it  is  probable  that  I 
should  not  write  any  better  to-morrow,  I  will  and  must 
send  this.  You  can  make  out  what  I  mean.  Finding 
that  I  will  have  a  little  time  for  writing  a  few  lines  in 
the  morning,  I  will  now  bid  you  good-night. 


12  An  Artillery  Officer 

TAMPICO,  January  26th,  9  P.M. 

Finding  that  the  mail  would  not  leave  until  six 
o'clock  to-morrow,  I  have  kept  this  letter  open  that 
I  might  give  you  the  last  news.  I  have  attended 
to-day  to  landing  the  Company,  etc.,  and  to  getting 
them  made  comfortable  in  the  quarters.  To-morrow 
I  shall  move  them  into  other  quarters  where  I  am  to  re 
main  till  we  leave  here.  We  shall  be  very  comfortable. 
I  am  now  writing  at  Lt.  Austine's  table.  Col.  Gates 
has  just  left  the  room  to  allow  my  finishing  my  let 
ter.  He  has  been  talking  a  great  deal  about  his  wife 
and  child.  From  his  own  account  it  seems  to  me  that 
the  Col.  depended  too  much  on  himself  in  attending  to 
his  child.  He  says  that  Mrs.  Gates  became  strongly 
attached  to  the  little  boy. 

To-day  I  have  been  looking  around  the  town — it  is 
not  a  Mexican  or  Spanish  town  in  its  construction. 
Most  of  the  good  houses  being  constructed  by  English 
or  German  residents,  the  walls  are  very  thick  and  sur 
rounding  courtyards.  Until  the  Volunteers  came,  the 
citizens  appeared  inclined  to  be  sociable.  But  now 
many  have  left,  and  gone  into  the  interior.  Genl. 
Whitman's  Brigade  arrived  within  ten  miles  of  camp, 
and  is  there  encamped.  I  have  seen  many  of  my  old 
army  friends  here  to-day.  Capt.  Myers  will  sleep  in 
the  same  room  with  me  to-night.  I  have  not  seen 
him  yet.  Mr.  Brown,  whom  I  saw  this  morning,  ex 
presses  himself  anxious  to  join  me.  He  will,  I  expect, 
be  assigned  to-morrow.  Lt.  Andrews  has  been  assigned 
to  the  Company  temporarily  to-day.  Mr.  Judd,  tell 
Mary,  looks  exceedingly  fierce  with  his  moustachios. 
He  does  not  shave  at  all — I  wonder  that  he  is  not 
alarmed  at  his  own  likeness  in  the  glass.  I  must  now 
bid  you  farewell  for  the  present,  as  I  know  Col.  Gates 


In  Mexico  13 

keeps  early  hours  for  retiring,  and  I  fear  that  I  am  keep 
ing  him  up.  No  news  from  Genl.  Scott — he  is  daily 
expected.  Maj.  McCall  inquired  very  kindly  after 
Genl.  Clinch  to-day. 

BRIG  "JOHN  POTTER,"  TAMPICO, 

January  25,  1847. 

We  are  here  at  last,  and  fearing  that  you  may 
have  heard  through  the  newspapers  of  our  reported 
distress  for  want  of  provisions,  etc.,  which  we  find 
prevailing  here,  I  hasten  to  write  the  first  moment 
after  our  anchoring.  We  have  had  two  severe  storms, 
one  very  severe,  but  Almighty  God,  who  has  ever 
watchfully  preserved  me,  has  brought  us  into  safety, 
and  we  are  now  so  grateful  that  we  think  lightly  of  the 
dangers  we  have  passed.  I  can  never  forget  it,  as  I  was 
aware  at  the  time  of  the  danger  we  were  in,  and 
placed  my  reliance  on  the  only  Power  which  could 
save  us. 

The  first  person  who  came  on  board  to  see  me  was 
Adjt.  Austine;  he  gave  me  all  the  news.  Lts.  Steptoe 
and  Judd  have  returned  to  this  place  from  an  ex 
pedition  about  fifty  miles  to  the  north  a  few  days  since. 
There  are  now  three  companies  of  the  3rd  Arty,  here 
quartered  in  the  city — the  Company  I  bring  makes 
the  third.  You  see  that  I  am  fortunate  again,  as  the 
barracks  are  excellent.  Poor  Maj.  Whiting  is  to  go 
into  camp — joining  Lt.  Capron's  Company  to  three 
others  already  here.  Genl.  Patterson  arrived  yester 
day  with  his  Division.  Our  two  companies  raise  the 
force  now  here  to  a  fraction  over  7000  men — a  very 
respectable  force.  Genl.  Worth  is  reported  to  be  on 
his  way  with  all  the  regulars  from  the  Monterey 
Army ;  Genl.  Twiggs  came  with  Genl.  Patterson ;  Genl. 


14  An  Artillery  Officer 

Shields  was  here,  but  left  yesterday  for  old  Tampico 
— a  few  miles  hence. 

Genl.  Taylor  had  advanced  as  far  as  Victoria,  and 
was  ordered  back  to  Saltillo  or  Monterey.  Genl. 
Scott  is  expected  in  about  a  week.  What  we  are  then 
to  do,  no  one  knows.  Rumor  says  that  the  City  of 
Vera  Cruz  is  to  be  taken — that  Genl.  Taylor  is  to  ad 
vance  towards  San  Luis  de  Potosi,  to  keep  Santa  Anna 
in  check,  whilst  Genl.  Scott  takes  Vera  Cruz — the 
invincible  Castle  of  San  Juan  d'Ulua  will  not  be  at 
tacked.  When  the  city  is  taken,  it  must  fall,  as  our 
Navy  will  cut  off  their  supplies  by  sea,  and  the  Army 
in  possession  of  Vera  Cruz  will  prevent  succor  by  land. 
An  English  gentleman  who  arrived  from  Vera  Cruz 
yesterday  reports  that  there  are  not  more  than  4000 
troops  in  Vera  Cruz,  and  that  if  the  city  is  approached 
by  an  army  of  5000  or  6000  American  troops,  it  will 
surrender  without  a  struggle. 

Of  Mexican  news  the  reports  are  contradictory; 
one  is  that  the  Congress  consents  to  renewing  diplo 
matic  relations  with  our  Govt.  by  a  vote  of  300  to  250  ; 
another  report,  that  they  decide  against  renewing  these 
relations,  by  that  vote.  It  is  stated,  however,  that  the 
Mexican  Congress  have  enacted  a  law  requiring  the 
priesthood  to  assist  the  Govt.  with  money — and  this 
law  will  produce  a  revolution  which  may  lead  to 
peace.  After  I  get  on  shore  I  will  write  you  a  more  con 
nected  letter  than  this — I  merely  give  you  the  floating 
rumors  in  this. 

Our  cousin  Saml.  Anderson  came  to  see  me  soon 
after  we  anchored.  He  looks  very  well  and  says  that 
all  are  delighted  with  their  position  here ;  the  market 
is  very  good — an  abundant  supply  of  everything,  and 
at  very  reasonable  rates.  What  think  you  of  teal 


In  Mexico  15 

ducks  fifty  cents  per  dozen ! — common  ducks  twelve  and 
one-half  cents  a  pair.  These  were  the  prices  asked 
when  the  troops  first  came  here — now  they  are  a  little 
higher.  The  town,  in  which  I  have  not  yet  been,  looks 
very  well  from  our  boat.  The  streets  are  well  paved, 
and  the  houses  well  built — the  large  have  courtyards 
enclosed  by  them.  A  splendid  house  is  being  fitted 
up  for  Genl.  Scott. 

Capt.  P.  is  here;  he  is  Sutler  and  Postmaster;  if  he 
keeps  steady,  he  will  soon  make  a  fortune.  His  nephew, 
David  Wells,  arrived  yesterday.  Col.  Gates  is,  I  am 
told,  looking  very  well.  Drs.  Hawkins  and  McLean  are 
both  here.  Lt.  H.  Brown  is  also  here.  Brig.  Genl. 
Shields  has  attached  him  to  his  Staff.  Adjt.  Austine 
told  me  that  Col.  Gates  would  at  once  apply  for  Mr. 
Brown  to  be  assigned  to  my  Company.  I  would  be 
very  happy  to  have  Lt.  B.  again.  We  are  fortunate 
in  getting  all  the  men  here  in  pretty  good  health. 
Corp.  Hannel  has  a  slight  touch  of  the  jaundice. 

One  German  sang  every  mild  night  of  our  passage  over. 
I  find  the  band  of  the  3rd  Arty,  here,  also  the  bands  of 
three  other  Regts.  They  alternate  in  playing  on  the  Plaza 
every  night.  Your  first  letter  will,  I  hope,  give  me  full 
news.  What  would  I  not  give  to  be  one  half  hour  with 
you !  I  will,  however,  apply  myself  closely  to  my  duties, 
and  do  all  that  in  me  lies  to  bring  this  war  to  a  close. 

Do  always  write  me  fully;  your  letters  may  be  sent 
to  me,  Tampico,  Mexico,  via  New  Orleans.  As  this  is 
now  a  United  States  city,  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  pay 
the  postage  on  your  letters.  My  heart  leaped  with 
pride  when  I  saw  the  United  States  flag  flying  over  the 
City  of  Tampico,  but  that  pride  was  soon  checked 
when  I  thought  of  the  power  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  weakness  of  Mexico.  God  grant  that  peace  may 


i6  An  Artillery  Officer 

soon  be  effected.  This  letter  is  so  badly  written  that 
I  will  not  attempt  to  cross  it.  I  pray  you  to  burn  it  as 
soon  as  you  have  read  it. 

No.  i.  TAMPICO,  MEXICO, 
January  27,  1847. 

I  moved  to-day,  Wednesday,  27th  of  Jany.,  into  very 
good  quarters  near  the  principal  Plaza  of  the  City.  I 
hope  that  the  Company  will  soon  get  on  their  land  legs, 
and  become  again  decent  to  be  looked  upon.  I  paid  my 
respects  to-day  to  Brig.  Genl.  Patterson — found  him 
very  affable  and  gentlemanly.  He  thinks  that  we  have  a 
sufficient  force  now  assembled  in  and  near  the  City  to 
take  Vera  Cruz,  and  is  very  anxiously  expecting  Genl. 
Scott  daily.  Genl.  Worth  is,  he  says,  on  his  way  to  this 
place. 

We  have  already  more  rank  than  I  ever  saw  together — 
Major  Genl.  Patterson,  Brig.  Generals  Twiggs,  Pillow, 
Quitman,  and  Shields,  Genl.  Patterson  being  the  Genl. 
of  this  Division  of  the  Army.  Volunteers  raised  for  the 
war  are  hourly  expected.  Those  who  are  now  here  are, 
at  this  time,  indulging  somewhat  freely  in  frolicking,  as 
a  reward,  I  suppose,  for  the  abstemiousness  necessarily 
practised  during  their  long  marches.  Your  old  friend, 
Yawn,  joins  Genl.  Patterson's  Military  family  to-mor 
row  as  clerk.  He  conducts  himself  so  well  that  it  gives 
me  pleasure  to  advance  his  interests.  I  spoke  to  Genl. 
Patterson  to-day  about  him,  mentioned  under  what 
circumstances  he  enlisted,  the  estimation  in  which  he 
was  held  by  the  business  men  of  Charleston,  etc. 

Breakfasted  with  Capt.  Myers,  and  a  friend  or  two 
at  a  cafe — fried  fish,  venison  steak,  eggs,  buckwheat 
cakes,  fried  bananas,  and  coffee,  all  neatly  served  and 
well  cooked.  Dined  at  the  same  house  with  a  mess — 


MAJOR-GENERAL    ROBERT    PATTERSON 


In  Mexico  17 

Drs.  Harney,  Satterlee,  and  Cuyler — soup,  baked  fish, 
broiled  and  roasted  duck  (excellent)  with  lettuce 
salad,  Irish  and  sweet  potatoes.  From  these  bills  of 
fare  (omitting,  as  I  do,  an  excellent  bottle  of  cham 
pagne  at  dinner)  you  will  find  that  there  is  no  danger  of 
my  starving.  Were  you  here,  I  could  live  as  happily 
and  comfortably  as  at  any  other  place. 

Miss  Chase,  the  lady  (Irish)  who  distinguished  her 
self  by  raising  the  American  flag  as  our  Navy  was  com 
ing  up  to  town  (three  miles)  from  the  bar,  has  invited 
Mrs.  Col.  Gates  to  come  and  take  a  room  at  her  house. 
The  Col.  has  sent  the  invitation  but  does  not  know 
whether  she  will  come  or  not.  I  would  not  experience 
the  anxiety  I  should  entertain  at  the  idea  of  your  be 
ing  on  your  way  to  this  place  for  anything  in  this 
world.  The  Col.  writes  her  that  he  will  probably  leave 
this  place  before  she  can  get  here. 

Intending  to  write  you  daily,  I  will  now  close  this 
day's  letter  by  wishing  you  good-night. 

Thursday,  January  28,  1847. 

To-day  I  dined  with  Maj.  Morris,  Chef  de  police  de 
Tampico.  He  deserves  very  great  credit  for  his  un 
tiring  zeal  and  attention  to  his  duties.  His  authority 
is  necessarily  very  extensive,  all  being  subject  to  his 
supervision.  Yesterday  he  sent  a  Capt.  and  Lt.  of 
Volunteers  to  the  guard-house.  He  orders  any  house 
where  there  is  rioting  or  unnecessary  noise  to  be  in 
stantly  closed,  and  his  authority  is  undisputed.  To 
day  I  am  Officer  of  the  Day,  and  have  the  right  of 
exercising  nearly  all  the  above  mentioned  authority, 
but  as  my  plan  and  desire  is,  to  prevent  rather  than 
to  suppress,  I  have  already  stopped  by  timely  advice 
one  or  two  incipient  cases  of  riotous  conduct. 


is  An  Artillery  Officer 

10:30.  Just  returned  from  the  American  Theatre, 
which  I  had  to  visit  as  Officer  of  the  Day — heard  "O'er 
the  Mountain  Brow"  melodiously  sung  by  the  favorite 
of  the  night.  There  were  plenty  of  good  subjects  for  a 
row,  but  the  fear  of  the  bayonets  of  the  Guard  who  were 
present  kept  them  moderately  quiet.  On  my  return, 
I  passed  round  and  found  the  town  unusually  still. 
Another  Norther — as  the  storms  from  that  direction 
are  called — is  now  screaming  its  approach.  The  term 
screaming  is  strictly  applicable  to  the  storm  as  it  ex 
erted  its  fury  on  our  vessel  whilst  under  its  influence 
at  sea.  No  news  from  Genl.  Scott  or  from  the  northern 
portion  of  the  Army.  Saw  Genl.  Persifer  Smith  to-day 
— he  is  looking  very  well. 

I   THINK  OF  CIRCULATING  A   PETITION  TO  CONGRESS 

RELATIVE  TO  ARMY  ASYLUM,  as  we  have  now  a  very 
large  portion  of  the  Regular  Officers  within  a  few 
miles  of  this  City,  and  I  find  I  have  active  friends 
in  each  Camp  who  would  take  pleasure  in  aiding  me. 
I  have  been  looking  round  for  something  for  you,  but 
have  seen  nothing  very  rare  or  nice. 


Friday,  January  29,  1847. 

To-day  I  marched  fifty  of  the  3rd  to  the  Camp  of 
the  2nd  Arty,  when  under  the  command  of  Capt. 
McKenzie,  we  rehearsed  the  ceremony  of  receiving 
Genl.  Scott  hourly  expected  from  Brazos.  I  play  the 
second  fiddle — the  escort  of  honor  is  composed  of  200 
men.  Genl.  Pillow's  Brigade  has  moved  its  camp  nearer 
town — sorry  for  it,  as  we  shall  have  an  additional 
number  of  the  boys  to  keep  in  order. 

I  have  just  returned  from  dining  with  our  friend, 
H.  Brown.  We  had  an  agreeable  party  and  a  very 


In  Mexico  19 


S  7 

good  dinner.     Guests:  Genl.  Shields,  Adjt.  Austine,  Dr. 

36  a 

Hawkins,  Lt.  Lovell,  and  Capt.  Anderson.    Hosts  (or 

I  8 

Mess) :  Col.  Kinney  (Texan  Danl.  Boone)  ,  Lt.  Brown 

and  Lt.  Collins.  I  will  not  describe  the  dinner,  as  it  was 
an  American,  not  a  Mexican  dinner.  Col.  Kinney  is  an 
extraordinary  man,  and  probably  knows  more  of  the 
Mexican  character  than  any  one  with  the  Army.  I  was 
rejoiced  to  find  no  animosity  in  his  conversation  towards 
the  Mexican  common  people,  which  I  expected  from 
him  as  the  Texan  Ranger;  on  the  contrary  he  concurs 
with  me  in  sympathizing  with  them.  Genl.  Shields  is 
the  "Commissioner  of  the  Land  Office/'  and  a  devoted 
friend  of  the  President.  I  THINK  THAT  I  HAVE  IN  HIM 

A  GOOD  FRIEND  OF  THE  ARMY  ASYLUM.      A  few  Such 

men  will  carry  the  measure  through  Congress.  I  am 
to  give  him  a  copy  of  the  Bill.  No.  3  looks  as  though 
he  was  not  quite  so  sedate  as  when  Nancy  was  with 
him.  No.  4  is  A.  D.  C.  to  No.  5.  No.  6  is  the  son  of 
the  late  Surgeon- Genl.,  and  the  young  gentleman  you 
saw  at  Old  Point.  No.  8  received  me  very  warmly. 

I  learned  from  conversation  at  the  table  that  some  of 
the  principal  men  of  this  part  of  the  Country  are  now 
considering  whether  they  shall  not  at  once  raise  a 
Mexican  force,  attach  themselves  to  our  Army,  and 
declare  at  once  against  the  Govt.,  either  holding  out  the 
flag  of  annexation,  or  of  a  separate  Govt.  under  the 
protection  of  ours.  Thus  far  it  seems  that  our  course 
here  has  conciliated  the  inhabitants,  and  it  may  lead 


20  An  Artillery  Officer 

to  important  results.  All  think  that  if  the  troops 
were  withdrawn  in  a  short  time  even,  that  their  pre 
sence  and  the  attending  introduction  of  our  goods  at  a 
rate  so  much  cheaper  than  the  poor  Mexicans  have 
ever  before  purchased  them,  with  the  swarm  of  enter 
prising  Yankees  introduced  into  the  Country,  will  event 
ually  produce,  inevitably,  the  downfall  of  the  Spanish 
influence.  A  Mexican  is  said  to  have  arrived  this  day 
with  important  news  from  the  interior.  I  have  not 
heard  whether  the  rumor  be  true  or  false. 

As  a  mail  is  to  go  to  New  Orleans  to-morrow  morning, 
I  shall  close  this  letter  to-night.  One  month  and 
three  days  (five  weeks)  have  gone  since  I  saw  you — 
and  I  have  not  one  word  from  you.  *T  is  not  your 
fault  as  I  know  that  you  write  constantly — too  fre 
quently  for  your  health  I  fear.  You  must,  I  entreat 
you,  be  careful  of  yourself.  Could  I  only  be  assured  by 
one  word  that  you  were  well,  how  warmly  I  would 
thank  our  Heavenly  Father — as  it  is,  I  must  rely  upon 
His  protecting  mercies  for  what  He  has  done,  with  an 
earnest  hope  that  He  has,  and  does,  still  guard  and 
provide  for  my  darling  wife. 

How  you  would  enjoy  what  I  scarcely  now  hear, 
though  playing  near  my  Quarters,  the  bands  of  the  1st, 
2nd,  and  3rd  Regts.  Arty. — the  band  of  the  4th  has  not 
yet  arrived.  One  band  is  now  playing — they  alternate 
in  playing  every  other  night, 

A  mail  arrived  this  evening  from  New  Orleans  via 
Brazos — it  brought  nothing  for  me  but  a  Volume  of 
Tactics  from  Washington.  I  cannot  learn  that  any 
news  of  Genl.  Scott's  movements  was  received.  All 
are  in  the  dark  here — eagerly,  anxiously  looking  for 
his  arrival.  No  one  knows  who  his  Staff  Officers  are 
to  be.  It  seems  to  be  expected  that  Congress  will 


In  Mexico  21 

give  him  another  Asst.  Adjt.  Genl.,  and  that  he  will 
not  deprive  either  of  the  Genls.  now  in  the  field  of 
theirs.  I  see  no  good  reason  for  this  suggestion  as  he 
can  call  very  properly  for  either  of  them,  and  let  these 
Genls.  select  Lts.  to  perform  the  duties  of  A.  A.  Genl. 
in  their  Military  Families.  I  find  that  I  have  been  un 
intentionally  led  into  a  Military  discussion.  A  truce 
with  all  such  stuff. 

You  have  a  right  to  expect  from  me  some  remarks 
upon  the  Mexicans,  but  as  yet  I  have  seen  nothing  of 
them  except  of  the  lower  class,  who  differ  very  little 
in  social  position  from  our  slaves.  They  work  for  us, 
unload  our  vessels,  assist  in  throwing  up  embankments 
to  the  fortifications  around  Tampico,  etc. ;  in  fact,  they 
seem  to  evince  no  dissatisfaction  at  our  presence. 

You  must  know  that  our  troops  have  been  busily 
engaged  ever  since  their  arrival  in  fortifying  the  town, 
as  in  the  event  of  the  movement  of  the  Army  from 
this  place  a  garrison  sufficiently  large  to  defend  the 
City  will  be  left  here.  Each  Regt.  hopes  that  it  will 
not  have  to  remain.  Col.  Bankhead  is  on  his  way  out 
— he  cannot  be  fit  to  go  into  the  field,  and  would 
make  a  very  respectable  Governor.  Major  Whitney 
cannot  go  into  the  field.  I  am  rejoiced  to  hear  that 
he  has  been  assigned  to  quarters  in  the  City. 

Our  flagstaff  is  planted  in  the  centre  of  the  plat 
form  on  which  it  was  intended  to  erect  a  monument  to 
Santa  Anna.  To  what  strange  uses  are  the  vain  pur 
poses  of  man  sometimes  applied!  I  will  here  narrate 
an  anecdote  connected  with  the  raising  of  our  flag  here, 
which  was  told  at  dinner  to-day.  An  old  Mexican 
about  ninety,  when  it  was  raised,  observed  to  a  man 
standing  near  him:  "Well,  I  am  not  sorry  to  see  that 
flag  going  up.  That  flag  has  been  my  ruin.  I  came 


22  An  Artillery  Officer 

from  Spain,  and  I  was  then  young,  and  was  sent  into 
Louisiana;  that  flag  came  and  I  then  went  into 
Florida;  in  a  few  years  the  same  flag  came,  and  I 
then  came  to  this  place  expecting  never  to  be  disturbed 
by  it  again.  But  there  it  is — the  same  flag,  the  same 
people."  This  was  substantially  the  comment  of  the 
old  Spaniard,  and  evidences  in  a  few  words  the  aston 
ishing  increase  and  growing  power  of  our  Country. 
God  grant  that  it  may  be  all  for  the  best. 

As  I  intend  writing  you  a  letter  every  day  so  as  to 
give  you  a  bulletin  by  each  of  your  weekly  mails,  I 
shall  now  close  this  letter  that  it  may  leave  in  the  mail 
of  to-morrow,  as  I  do  not  know  when  I  shall  have  an 
other  opportunity.  Do  write  me  how  you  are.  I  will 
not  close  without  saying  that  I  have  entirely  recovered 
from  my  sea-sickness,  and  that  I  can  now  relish  very 
well  a  good  dinner. 

No.  2.  TAMPICO,  MEXICO, 

January  29  and  30,  1847. 

I  have  this  moment  (9  P.M.),  returned  from  a 
dinner  given  by  the  officers  of  the  2nd  Infy.  to 
those  of  the  2nd  Arty.  Though  feeling  very  little  like 
dining  out  to-day,  I  thought  I  could  not  refuse  the  in 
vitation,  as  it  would  enable  me  to  become  acquainted 
with  many  young  officers  of  those  Regts.  whom  I  did 
not  know.  The  dinner  was  abundant  and  pretty  well 
cooked,  but  it  was  not  served  in  the  home  style  always 
indicating  the  supervisory  care  of  woman.  Genl. 
Patterson  was  the  principal  guest  and  gave  us  speeches 
enough  to  last  for  half  a  dozen  dinners.  What  he  said 
was  very  well,  but  too  much  of  it  for  a  festive  board. 
Compliments  were  bandied  from  the  Regts. — the  hosts 
and  the  guests,  and  many  witty,  and  some  very  smart 


In  Mexico  23 

speeches  were  made.  When  Genl.  Taylor  and  some 
others  of  the  Mexican  conquerors  were  toasted,  the 
utmost  enthusiasm  prevailed.  Good  old  Genl.  Brady 
was  warmly  toasted.  No  toast  was  given  to  Worth — 
and  none,  except  one  not  understood  by  one  half  at 
the  table,  was  given  to  Genl.  Scott,  until  towards  the 
close  of  the  dinner,  and  that  one  was  very  coldly  re 
ceived.  Genl.  S.  is  not  known  and  is  therefore  un 
appreciated  by  these  gentlemen.  I  venture,  however, 
to  predict  that  at  the  close  of  the  first  campaign  under 
him,  these  same  gentlemen  will  warm  at  the  mention  of 
his  name.  I  rejoice  at  his  approach. 

Genl.  Taylor  feels  hurt,  I  fear,  at  Genl.  Scott's  hav 
ing  stripped  him  of  most  of  the  Regulars  with  whom 
he  has  won  so  much  glory;  he  should,  however,  re 
flect  that  Genl.  Scott's  success  is  a  national,  not  a 
personal  one.  We  learn  this  evening  that  Genl. 
Worth  has  arrived  at  the  Brazos  with  his  Brigade. 
It  is  probable  that  we  shall  not  see  him  here,  as  we 
presume  that  his  command  will  concentrate  with  the 
Volunteers  under  orders  for  the  seat  of  war  at  the 
Lobos  Islands — about  forty  or  fifty  miles  to  the  south  of 
this  place — where  it  is  said  that  the  vessels  will  have 
safe  anchorage.  Good-night,  etc. 

Sunday,  3ist. 

It  is  so  late,  that  I  can  write  you  only  a  few 
lines  before  retiring.  The  Sloop  of  War,  Albany, 
arrived  this  morning  from  Vera  Cruz  with  Lt.  Rains 
(Old  Point  acquaintance)  on  board  with  dispatches  from 
Commodore  Conner  for  Genl.  Scott.  Lt.  Rains  was, 
I  understand,  in  the  City  of  Vera  Cruz — there  are  about 
1500  men  in  the  City  and  800  in  the  Castle.  Troops 
may  be  safely  landed  under  the  protection  of  the  guns 


24  An  Artillery  Officer 

of  our  Fleet,  about  three  miles  from  Vera  Cruz,  when 
the  City  may  be  taken  without  exposure  to  the  fire 
of  the  Castle  d'Ulua.  The  City  is  not  defended,  or 
defended  badly,  from  a  land  attack,  and  must  readily 
fall.  The  Castle  would  of  course  follow. 

From  all  that  I  can  learn,  it  seems  that  Santa  Anna 
can  not  succeed  in  exciting  the  common  Mexicans 
against  us — the  kind  treatment  received  from  us  con 
trasts  so  forcibly  with  the  harsh  conduct  of  the  Mexi 
can  officers  and  officials  as  to  operate  very  much  in 
our  favor.  Many  contend  that  we  ought  to  live  on  the 
country  to  make  them  feel  the  horrors  of  war,  and  that 
then  they  will  sue  for  peace.  Perhaps  not.  It  may  be 
that  a  change  of  policy  on  our  part  would  excite  the 
common  people  so  much,  as  to  make  resistance  to  the 
death  a  cardinal  principle  with  them;  hence  would 
result  an  enthusiasm  which  would  render  the  country 
unconquerable.  Every  City  and  Town  might  then  fall 
before  the  force  of  our  Arms,  and  still  we  would  meet 
with  enemies  in  every  mountain  recess,  and  behind 
every  burn.  Good-night.  God  bless  you. 

Monday,  February  1st. 

Tampico  is  a  very  pretty  town — but  its  people 
do  not  look  like  any  you  ever  saw.  Everything 
here  would  look  strange  to  you.  The  men  wear  large 
palmetto  hats,  or  broad  brimmed  and  high  black 
polished  hats  with  brass  knobs  on  them,  which  they 
think  make  them  look  pretty.  They  wear  blankets 
thrown  over  their  shoulders — some  of  these  blankets 
are  of  very  rich  colors  and  cost  as  much  as  $60  for  one. 
The  people  here  would  make  you  feel  sorry  for  them, 
if  you  could  see  what  heavy  loads  they  carry  on  their 
backs.  They  have  a  strap,  passing  over  the  top  of 


In  Mexico  25 

the  forehead,  which  is  fastened  at  each  end  to  a  thick 
soft  pad  which  rests  on  the  shoulders — this  pad  keeps 
the  heavy  things  from  hurting  their  shoulders.  I 
saw  a  small  Mexican  carrying,  the  other  day,  a  barrel 
full  of  loaf  sugar.  Four  men  will,  with  these  pads, 
carry  very  large  boxes,  as  big  as  your  largest  box — 
the  two  men  at  the  corners  behind  bend  their  heads 
down  so  low  that  the  box  rests  on  the  pads.  Some  of 
the  men  wear  very  curious-looking  pants — they  have  a 
white  pair  made  with  very  large  legs;  over  this  comes 
another  pair  open  on  the  outer  seam  almost  all  the  way 
up  to  the  top. 

You  must  not  think  that  I  do  not  get  enough  to  eat 
— oysters  and  fish  are  nearly  as  good  as  those  at 
Tampa.  A  fish  called  " barilla"  is  perhaps  better 
than  those  we  had  at  Tampa.  Oranges  four  for  a 
sixpence,  wild  geese  twenty-five  cents,  ducks  four 
cents  apiece,  and  very  good  they  are — in  the  market 
I  find  more  kinds  of  peppers  then  I  ever  saw  any 
where  ;  one  of  the  large  peppers  is  called  dulce,  and  the 
skin  has  a  sweet  taste.  I  am  getting  seeds  of  the  dif 
ferent  kinds  of  peppers  and  beans  I  see.  Every  day 
lettuce,  sweet  potatoes,  Irish  potatoes  (brought  here), 
tomatoes  cultivated  and  wild,  egg  plants,  and  several 
kinds  of  vegetables  which  do  not  grow  in  the  places 
where  you  have  lived,  are  found  in  the  Market.  The 
Mexicans  sit  down  on  the  pavement  in  a  large  square, 
and  have  their  market  goods  near  them.  You  might 
buy  a  cup  of  chocolate  in  the  Market  and  some  nice 
fresh  rolls  or  cake,  as  they  are  always  there  for  sale. 

I  can  buy  a  nice  little  pony  here,  but  it  could  not  be 
sent  safely  by  water.  The  sea  is  so  rough  when  it 
blows  strong  from  the  north  that  the  horses  on  board 
ship  are  almost  always  badly  hurt. 


26  An  Artillery  Officer 

Tuesday,  Feb.  2nd. 

The  newspapers  give  you  so  regularly  and  con 
stantly  the  last  news  from  the  Army,  that  it  is  hardly 
worth  while  for  me  to  chronicle  events  as  they  tran 
spire,  or  to  detail  rumors  as  they  fly.  Of  rumors  I 
am  too  old  a  campaigner  to  repeat  one  twentieth  of 
what  I  hear.  I  shall  generally  give  you  only  what 
I  know,  or  believe  to  be  true,  or  think  very  probable. 

This  day  has  been  peculiarly  prolific  in  items  of  news 
—the  most  important  is  the  fact  of  the  stranding  of 
a  ship  from  New  Orleans  with  Col.  De  Russy  and  four 
Compys.  of  the  Louisiana  Vols.  on  board.  The  ship 
is  on  shore  thirty  miles  south  of  us.  They  saved  most 
of  their  guns,  their  tents,  provisions,  etc.  and  all  the 
men — one  only  was  lost.  Pack  mules  under  an  escort  of 
Cavalry  will  be  sent  down  for  them  to-morrow. 

Last  evening  some  of  the  officers  of  the  N.  Y.  Vols. 
came  up  to  town — they  left  N.  Y.  Jany.  4th,  and  came 
here  via  Brazos,  where  they  left  Genl.  Scott  about  five 
days  since.  Their  orders  are  to  go  as  far  south  as  the 
Isles  de  Lobos,  and  anchoring,  to  remain  till  further 
orders. 

The  anxiety  increases  daily  in  relation  to  Genl. 
Scott.  All  want  to  see  him — because  all  think  that 
Vera  Cruz  can  be  easily  taken  with  the  troops  now  here. 
Genl.  Scott  will  not  move  till  his  plans  are  well  matured, 
and  will  not  strike  a  blow  until  he  knows  it  will  tell  well. 
Great  anxiety  is  entertained  here  by  Genl.  Scott's 
friends  relative  to  a  bill  before  Congress  to  make  a 
Lt.  Genl.,  as  we  know  it  is  aimed  at  Genl.  S.  and  designed 
to  place  some  politician  above  him.  If  Genl.  S.  can 
take  the  field  with  a  strong  force,  carry  Vera  Cruz,  and 
compel  its  boasted  Castle  to  surrender,  and  then  estab 
lish  himself  safely  in  the  interior  across  the  mountains, 


In  Mexico  27 

before  the  arrival  of  the  Lt.  Genl.,  his  being  superseded 
will  make  him  President,  in  spite  of  the  manoeuvres  of 
politicians. 

I  rode  this  evening  to  the  camp  of  Genl.  Twiggs's 
Brigade,  about  two  and  one  half  miles  from  town. 
Their  Camp  is  prettily  situated  on  rolling  ground, 
with  a  very  pretty  water  prospect.  The  Officers  say 
they  cannot  step  into  the  woods  outside  without  being 
covered  with  ticks.  Say  to  the  Genl.  that  his  old  friend 
Col.  Riley  desires  to  be  particularly  remembered  to 
him.  Maj.  McKee,  a  relation  of  Mrs.  Clinch's,  also 
requested  to  be  presented  most  warmly  to  the  family. 
As  I  feel  a  little  fatigued  after  my  ride,  I  shall  now  bid 
you  good-night. 

Wednesday,  Feb.  3rd. 

Postmaster  Perkins  informs  me  that  he  expects  to 
send  a  mail  to  the  United  States  to-morrow.  I  shall 
then,  instead  of  keeping  this  letter  for  another  mail, 
close  and  send  it  by  that  mail.  I  am  more  anxious 
that  you  should  hear  from  me  by  every  opportunity 
now,  as  I  fear  that  when  we  leave  this  place,  it  will 
be  impossible  for  me  to  write  as  regularly  as  I  now 
do,  and  that  the  chances  of  communication  with 
New  Orleans  will  be  very  much  decreased. 

Not  a  line  yet  from  my  wife — as  there  has  been  no 
mail  direct  from  New  Orleans  since  my  arrival,  none 
could  have  arrived.  And  yet  it  is  hard  that  just  at 
this  time  when  I  am  so  anxious  to  get  a  letter,  the 
mail  should  be  so  much  behind.  To-morrow  will,  I 
hope,  bring  us  a  vessel  from  New  Orleans  with  the 
mail.  Dr.  Cuyler  says  that  he  hears  from  his  wife 
more  regularly  than  any  one  else  here,  because  he  has 
his  letters  sent  under  cover  to  Col.  T.  F.  Hunt,  Deputy 


28  An  Artillery  Officer 

Q.  M.  Genl.,  New  Orleans.  Mrs.  C.  pays  the  postage 
to  New  Orleans  and  Col.  H.  forwards  them.  Do  try 
this  plan;  it  may,  and  I  hope  will  succeed  with  us. 
With  a  good  Postmaster  in  New  Orleans,  there  would 
be  no  use  for  any  other  than  the  ordinary  direction 
on  the  letter,  but  he,  it  is  said,  has  some  inattentive 
persons  in  the  office. 

We  heard  from  the  interior  to-day,  that  about  six 
hundred  Mexicans  were  defeated  near  the  Paso  del 
Norte  by  four  hundred  of  Genl.  Kearney's  troops. 
This  you  probably  heard  a  week  ago,  as  it  is  said  to 
have  taken  place  more  than  a  month  ago.  We  hear  not 
a  word  about  the  doings  of  the  Mexican  Congress — their 
not  acting  precipitately  augurs  that  they  consider  the 
question  of  peace  or  war  one  on  which  they  will 
reflect — that  they  have  not  met  with  the  determina 
tion  to  prosecute  it  at  all  hazards.  Nothing  from 
Genl.  Scott.  An  escort  was  sent  down  this  morning 
with  pack  mules  to  Col.  De  Russy's  command — they 
will  join  us  in  about  four  days. 

The  band  of  the  4th  Arty,  is  now  playing  your  old 
favorite  "Love not " — some  musicians  with  the  very  in 
struments  to  which  we  have  listened  together.  What 
emotions  throng  to  my  heart — God  grant  that  we  may 
again  enjoy — and  now  they  are  playing  "Oft  in  the 
Stilly  Night" — I  can  write  no  more  till  they  have  fin 
ished.  I  think  I  can  safely  promise  that  this  war  being 
over,  nothing  save  the  most  imperious  necessity  will  ever 
separate  me  from  my  family  except  for  short  periods. 

Before  closing,  I  may  as  well  give  you  a  little  insight 
into  my  household  arrangements.  Behold  me  then 
seated  before  the  old  Company  desk  in  my  parlor  of 
24  by  1 6  feet — the  walls  about  30  ft.  high  and  2  ft. 
thick,  the  piazza  in  front  paved  with  marble. 


In  Mexico  29 

Having  described  my  parlor,  I  will  enter  no  further  into 
details  about  my  drawing-room  and  bedroom,  than  to 
say  that  exactly  the  same  description  verbatim  et  litera 
tim  will  answer  for  them.  I  am  still  messing  with  Doc 
tors  Harney  and  Cuyler  one  square  from  my  Quarters. 
In  a  day  or  two  we  intend  changing  to  a  Frenchman 
who  is  said  to  keep  a  better  table.  I  have  not  yet  found 
a  servant,  though  Dr.  C.  told  me  to-day  of  one  who 
would  go  with  me.  Derr  is  attending  to  my  few  wants 
now — we  get  on  very  well. 

I  must  invite  some  friends  to  assist  in  eating  the  fine 
jar  of  oysters  you  made  me  bring.  I  opened  my  Mess 
chest  to-day  and  found  them  in  excellent  order.  I 
omitted  mentioning  in  my  last  letters  that  the  married 
men  are  well — indeed  there  are  none  but  slight  cases  of 
indisposition  in  the  Compy.  The  houses  here  have  no 
fireplaces — the  Mexicans  you  find  sleeping  under  the 
piazzas,  or  in  the  open  square  every  night,  having 
merely  wrapped  themselves  up  in  their  blankets  which 
they  always  wear,  using  their  hats  as  pillows  and  at  the 
same  time  covers  to  their  heads. 

I  omitted  stating  the  other  day  that  I  had  seen 
Maj.  Buchanan;  he  commands  the  Baltimore  Vols., 
who,  they  do  say  here,  behaved  most  cowardly  at 
Monterey;  their  Commander,  Col.  Watson — a  brave 
man — was  sixty  yards  ahead  of  his  men  when  he  fell. 
As  I  must  put  this  letter  in  the  mail  to-night,  I  must 
now  close.  Give  my  love  to  all  the  family. 

No.  3.     TAMPICO,  Feb.  4th. 

Is  it  not  too  tantalizing,  that  a  vessel  has  just  arrived 
from  New  Orleans  in  seven  days  without  having  brought 
the  mail.  Not  even  a  newspaper  did  the  stupid  dolt 
bring.  He  deserves  not  to  hear  from  his  family  for  a 


30  An  Artillery  Officer 

year.  And  to  think  that  he  might  have  brought  me 
news  from  you  as  late  as  the  I5th  of  last  month!  That 
is  indeed  a  long  time  back,  but  still  how  delighted  I 
should  be  to  hear  from  you  as  late  as  that.  I  really 
am  so  much  out  of  patience  that  I  cannot  write.  But 
as  I  cannot  omit  writing  a  single  evening  whilst  I  can 
do  so,  you  must  make  all  excuses  for  me  this  evening. 

This  day  has  been  nearly  barren  of  rumors  and  reports 
— the  newsmongers  seem  to  have  exhausted  all  their 
powers  of  invention  during  the  last  two  days.  To-day  I 
have  been  in  company  with  some  of  the  distinguished 
of  the  battle  of  Monterey,  and  am  sorry  to  say  that  their 
want  of  modesty  detracted  very  much  from  my  estima 
tion  of  their  deeds.  No  one  admires  courage  more  than 
I  do,  but  I  always  regret  to  hear  the  hero  trumpeting  his 
own  fame — however  weak  the  blast  may  be,  it  had 
better  been  left  for  other  lungs  to  swell  the  strain. 

All  agree,  however,  in  representing  Genl.  Taylor  as 
perfectly  cool  and  collected  during  the  fight — they  say 
that  he  exposed  himself  unnecessarily — that  he  was 
frequently  in  the  advance  when  he  might  have  left  the 
duty  of  reconnoitring  to  others.  The  Genl.  preferred 
perhaps  to  look  with  his  own  eyes.  AMPUDIA  is  repre 
sented  as  both  drunkard  and  coward. 

The  band,  it  must  be  the  3rd,  is  now  playing  that 
medley  you  remember — "Some  Love  to  Roam,"  "Love 
not,"  etc.  They  play  better  than  I  ever  heard  them. 
I  can  scarcely  think  it  is  our  band,  and  yet  in  some  parts 
the  instruments  sound  very  much  like  those  of  the 
3rd  did  in  olden  times  at  Fort  Moultrie.  Now  they 
play  the  old  American  Museum  tune.  How  well  do  I 
remember  the  many  evenings  you  have  heard  those 
notes  when  we  were  so  happy  together.  Memory  is  to 
me  a  very  great  blessing — with  some  sad  thoughts, 


In  Mexico  31 

she  presents  me  many  bright  and  happy  ones.  These 
continue  through  Hfe  to  present  to  me  occasionally  the 
panorama  of  life's  acts,  and  of  my  mind's  thoughts  and 
hopes.  Good-night.  I  can  write  no  more  to-night. 

Feb.  5th.  A  mail  from  New  Orleans,  but  bringing  no 
letter  from  you — to-morrow  it  is  said  that  we  are  to  have 
a  large  mail  left  behind  somewhere  with  later  dates 
than  those  brought  to-day.  Then  assuredly  I  shall  hear 
from  you — I  shall  indulge  at  all  events  in  that  sweet 
hope  till  the  mail  comes.  I  hear  that  Genl.  Scott  is 
to  be  here  next  week.  On  reflecting  upon  what  may 
be  the  state  of  affairs  at  Vera  Cruz  I  do  not  see  why 
it  may  not  be  better  to  remain  where  we  are  until  we 
can  get  a  battery  of  heavy  battering  guns,  a  siege  train 
— as  it  may  be  that  we  shall  have  good  uses  for  it. 

The  newspapers,  months  ago,  stated  that  our  friend 
Capt.  Huger  was  to  sail  about  the  1st  of  Jany.  with  one 
hundred  men  well  instructed  in  the  management  of 
mortars  and  heavy  howitzers,  which  he  was  to  bring 
with  him.  He  may  perhaps  be  now  to  the  south  of  us. 
No  one  can  tell  who  is  to  remain  as  Governor  of  Tam- 
pico.  As  Col.  Gates  had  the  honor  of  landing  the  first 
detachments  of  troops  here,  it  may  be  his  ill  fortune, 
but  we  hope  that  the  3rd  will  not  be  kept  with  him. 
As  yesterday  was  pay  day  for  the  Compy.  I  have  been 
pretty  busy  to-day  settling  accounts,  sending  off  checks, 
etc.  By  the  bye,  I  think  it  will  probably  be  advisable 
for  me  to  send  some  of  my  surplus  funds  to  you.  The 
amount  will  not  be  so  large  as  to  endanger  your  safety 
in  keeping  it — nor  have  I  any  very  great  fears  of  your 
becoming  purse  proud  in  consequence  of  its  possession. 

Entre  nous,  I  saw  a  letter  of  Genl.  Worth's  to-day, 
dated  Nov.  23rd  extolling  Genl.  Taylor  in  the  highest 


32  An  Artillery  Officer 

manner.  I  have  no  doubt  of  Genl.  T's  richly  deserving 
the  encomium  and  hope  Genl.  W.  may  not,  from  a  fit 
of  passion,  alter  his  opinions.  That  Genl.  Scott  will 
place  Worth  in  every  position  where  distinction  can 
be  won,  I  am  sure,  and  I  fear  that  this  partiality  may 
not  be  acceptable  to  others  in  the  Army  who  will  wish 
to  share  honors  with  the  gallant — I  presume  we  may 
now  say — Major  General.  I  find  that  I  am  encroaching 
on  to-morrow's  sheet.  God  bless  you  and  keep  you 
in  happiness  and  in  health. 

Feb.  6th.  Another  night  and  day  have  passed  since 
we  have  talked  together,  and  no  mail  has  come  with  a 
letter  from  home — where  you  two  are,  is  my  heart's 
home.  Dr.  Cuyler  and  myself  have  talked  so  much 
to-day  of  our  family  feelings,  as  to  make  me,  I  fear, 
a  very  poor  correspondent  for  my  to-night's  letter. 

Monday,  Feb.  8th,  9:30  A.M. 

Rumors  have  been  received  from  several  sources  dur 
ing  yesterday  and  the  day  before,  that  the  Mexicans  were 
surrounding  the  Command  of  Col.  De  Russy,  which  I 
mentioned  in  my  last  letter  as  having  been  wrecked 
about  thirty-five  miles  to  the  southward  yesterday 
morning.  Lt.  Magruder  was  sent  down  to  see  what  the 
Command  was  doing.  After  his  departure  reports  were 
received  to  the  effect  that  Col.  De  Russy  was  attacked 
by  Genl.  Coss  and  980  men,  and  that  Capt.  Brooks,  sent 
to  him  with  supplies,  was  also  engaged — that  the  attack 
commenced  on  the  4th  and  that  so  great  was  the  dis 
parity  of  the  force  (Col.  De  Russy  having  very  few 
muskets,  and  no  flints)  that  there  was  every  probability 
that  they  had  been  captured  or  cut  off  by  the  Mexicans. 

Genl.  Patterson  about  sunset  last  evening  ordered  two 


In  Mexico  33 

Companies  to  embark.  Col.  Gates  placed  me  in  com 
mand  of  the  Companies  selected  and  directed  me  to  re 
port  to  Genl.  Patterson  for  orders.  I  called  on  him  and 
received  orders  to  proceed  in  an  armed  schooner  down 
the  coast  to  reconnoitre  the  position  occupied  by  Col. 
De  Russy,  to  afford  him  and  the  troops  sent  to  his 
relief  every  assistance  if  they  can  be  found — assuming, 
when  I  join  them,  the  command  of  the  Arty.  Compys.  (4). 
If  I  find  no  persons  where  the  vessel  was  wrecked,  I  am 
to  examine  the  ground  to  see  if  an  engagement  has  taken 
place — then  to  proceed  south  to  a  small  town,  Tamagua, 
near  the  Islands,  where  our  forces  are  to  concentrate. 

We  met  on  the  bar  this  morning  the  steamboat 
which  took  Lt.  Magruder  down,  and  attempted  to 
communicate  with  it,  but  failing  to  do  so,  and  knowing 
how  important  it  was  that  we  should  not  go  off  on  a 
wild  goose  chase,  I  determined  to  recross  the  bar,  and 
dispatch  an  officer  to  Genl.  Patterson,  to  mention  the 
state  of  facts,  and  to  ask  his  instructions.  We  are  in 
fact  better  inside  the  bar  than  being  at  sea,  as 
the  wind  is  dead  ahead  and  we  should  be  drifted  by 
the  strong  current  to  the  north  here.  I  expect  the 
officer  back  in  an  hour — when  I  think  it  probable  we 
shall  be  ordered  to  return  to  Tampico. 

My  Compy.  was  not  selected  because  of  its  con 
taining  so  large  a  number  of  recruits.  Poor  fellows, 
many  of  them  appeared  very  anxious  to  go.  I  will  here 
stop  until  the  return  of  Lt.  Beckwith — the  officer  sent. 
Our  cousin  Lt.  Anderson  commands  one  of  the  Compys., 
and  Lt.  Wyse  the  other  one  on  board  this  vessel — which 
is  the  schooner  Ella  now  under  the  charge  of  Midship 
man  Smith.  Midshipman  Maury  is  with  him.  The 
two  companies  muster  about  140  men — enough  to  whip 
500  Mexicans  in  fair  fight. 


34  An  Artillery  Officer 

MY  OWN  QUARTERS  IN  TAMPICO,  8 :  30  P.M. 

As  I  expected,  Genl.  Patterson  sent  orders  for  me  to 
return  with  my  Command ;  on  arriving  I  immediately 
reported  to  him  at  his  Quarters,  and  gave  him  my 
reasons ;  he  approved  of  my  course  and  directed  me  to 
order  the  companies  to  their  quarters. 

The  Genl.'s  statement  of  the  events  reported  to  him 
by  the  officer  who  came  up  from  Col.  De  Russy's  troops 
is  this.  On  Thursday  Genl.  Coss  summoned  Col. 
De  R.  to  surrender — to  the  second  note  the  Col.  replied 
that  he  wanted  till  9  o'clock  the  next  morning  to  con 
sider  the  demand.  Night  soon  came  on  and  early 
in  the  night  the  Col.  took  up  the  line  of  march  leaving 
his  tents  standing,  with  candles  burning  in  them.  By 
daylight  the  next  morning  he  had  marched  about  twenty 
miles.  He  then  met  Lt.  Miller  with  his  party,  and  a 
few  miles  farther  he  received  the  Compys.  under  Lt. 
Magruder  which  were  landed  from  the  steamboat  we 
met  this  morning  on  the  Bar.  He  then  felt  himself 
so  secure  that  he  determined  to  report  his  position  to 
Genl.  Patterson  who  he  thought  might  send  him 
reinforcements  sufficient  to  authorize  his  attacking 
Genl.  Coss.  This  Genl.  Patterson  declines  doing,  as 
from  the  nature  of  the  country  the  chances  are  that 
Genl.  Coss  would  escape  without  the  possibility  of  being 
caught  by  our  troops.  Col.  De  Russy  has  been  ordered 
to  join  our  forces.  This  ends  this  expedition. 

We  expect  soon  to  sail  for  Vera  Cruz  as  we  hear  this 
evening  that  transports  are  arriving  at  Brazos  from  New 
Orleans.  Those  ordered  to  this  place  may  be  soon  ex 
pected.  An  officer  of  the  Navy  arrived  this  evening  four 
days  from  Vera  Cruz — he  reports  that  there  are  only  4000 
troops  in  the  City.  You  will  see,  I  fear,  before  this 
reaches  you,  an  account  of  my  having  been  sent  out  on 


In  Mexico  35 

what  will  be  called  undoubtedly  a  perilous  expedi 
tion.  You  have  all  the  facts  above  and  will  learn  how 
to  appreciate  such  reports.  Editors  must  of  course 
manufacture  interesting  paragraphs  for  their  papers. 

Tuesday  night,  Feb.  9th. 

Col.  De  Russy  and  his  Command  arrived  this  after 
noon.  Nothing  was  seen  of  Genl.  Coss  after  Col.  De  R.'s 
leaving  his  camp.  No  mail  yet  from  New  Orleans — it 
does  seem  that  we  are  never  to  get  a  mail.  Whilst  I 
was  absent  the  other  day  I  looked  forward  to  my  return 
to  Tampico  with  the  greatest  pleasure,  because  I 
hoped,  till  I  was  almost  certain,  that  there  would  be  a 
mail — that  I  should  find  a  letter  from  you.  You  will 
nearly  have  received  my  first  letters  from  this  place 
and  I  have  not  received  one  of  the  many  letters  which 
I  know  you  have  written.  It  is  too  bad. 

We  hear  a  rumor  to-day  that  Genl.  Santa  Anna  is 
marching  all  his  forces  to  crush  Genl.  Taylor.  It  may 
be  true  but  I  do  not  credit  the  report.  If  he  makes 
the  attempt,  although  Genl.  Taylor  has  not  many 
Regulars  with  him,  he  will  prove  a  very  ugly  customer, 
and  again  if  he  moves  with  all  his  forces  to  Monterey, 
he  leaves  the  road  to  San  Luis  and  the  City  of  Mexico 
open  to  one  part  of  the  Army,  and  even  success  against 
Genl.  Taylor — hardly  a  supposable  thing — will  not  atone 
for  the  injury  we  shall  inflict  on  him  by  cutting  him 
off  from  the  Capital,  and  our  obtaining  and  securing 
possession  of  the  tablelands,  the  garden  of  Mexico, 
where  alone  an  Army  can  be  subsisted  in  the  Republic. 

Genl.  Scott,  who  is  still  at  the  Brazos,  will  soon  be 
informed  of  this  movement  of  Santa  Anna  if  it  be  made, 
and  will  at  once  give  Genl.  Taylor  such  additional  re 
inforcements  as  to  secure  him  in  his  possession.  We 


36  An  Artillery  Officer 

must  not  suffer  any  reverses  in  this  war.  Not  a  man 
must  be  surrendered  to  the  Mexicans.  Fortunate  was 
it  for  us  that  an  ex-Army  officer  was  in  command  of 
the  wrecked  Louisianians,  as  a  raw  volunteer  would  have 
been  very  likely  to  have  surrendered  under  similar  cir 
cumstances — at  least  he  would  not  have  thought  of  es 
caping  by  a  ruse.  How  foolish  Genl.  Coss  must  have 
felt  on  approaching  the  empty  tents! 

I  was  introduced  this  afternoon  to  Col.  Jackson  of  the 
Georgia  troops.  He  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  best  of  the 
Volunteer  Officers  in  the  Army.  Col.  Baker,  member 
of  Congress  from1  Illinois,  was  pointed  out  last  night 
to  me — I  saw  him  seated  in  a  crowd — he  looked  like  a 
regular  electioneering  hero.  I  did  not  think  so  highly 
of  his  speech  in  Congress,  just  before  his  leaving 
Washington,  as  many  of  his  Volunteer  friends  do. 
Regular  vote-asking — praising  the  Volunteers  to  the 
skies.  Nearly  all  the  Volunteers  are  encamped  on  a 
very  extensive  plain  just  below  the  City  where  they 
have  room  enough  to  drill.  It  is  a  level  piece  of  land, 
overflowed  in  the  Spring,  extending  about  two  miles 
along  the  river  bank,  and  from  a  quarter  to  a  mile  broad. 
Having  obtained  some  few  articles  of  clothing  for  the 
"G's, "  I  am  just  beginning  to  take  them  out  of  the 
yard.  To-day  I  marched  them  down  to  the  plain, 
where  I  gave  them  a  good  drill. 

Extremely  desirous  of  not  missing  the  mail,  I  will  now 
close  begging  to  be  remembered  most  affectionately  to 
Genl.  C.  and  all  at  home.  That  our  Heavenly  Father 
will  secure  your  present  and  eternal  happiness  and 
soon  restore  me  to  you  is  my  constant  prayer. 

No.  4.    TAMPICO,  Feb.  10,  1847. 
No  boat  can  come,  nor  can  any  boat  go,  during  the 


In  Mexico  37 

time  when  the  "Northers"  are  bio  wing  here,  and  vessels 
that  are  at  anchor  outside  the  bar,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  have  frequently  to  get  under  sail  in  so  great  a 
hurry  that  they  have  not  time  to  raise  their  anchors. 
These  high  winds  do  not  generally  continue,  the 
residents  say,  longer  than  the  middle  of  this  month. 

No  news  has  been  received  to-day  from  any  quarter. 
I  saw  Col.  De  Russy  to-day,  but  had  no  time  for  con 
versation  with  him ;  he  looks  very  well.  The  Mississippi 
troops,  reported  to  be  suffering  very  severely  from  a 
malignant  dysentery,  who  were  off  the  bar  yesterday, 
must  have  been  blown  to  sea  by  the  storm. 

I  shall  send  you  by  mail  a  No.  of  the  Tampico 
Sentinel.  It  is  conducted  by  one  of  the  Editors  Lums- 
den,  of  the  New  Orleans  Picayune.  You  will  find  men 
tion  made  of  some  movements  alluded  to  in  my  letters, 
and  full  accounts  of  some  particulars  to  which  I  have 
not  alluded.  In  fact  the  Editor  has  to  make  the  most 
of  the  few  incidents  which  happen  in  our  midst,  where 
nothing  is  done  but  "drill"  and  look  out  for  the  mail. 

To-day  I  have  been  engaged  as  President  of  a  Court 
trying  some  soldiers.  The  big  Sergeant,  as  you  used 
to  call  him,  was  before  us.  He  could  not  resist  temp 
tation  and  took  one  more  than  the  authorized  frolic. 
I  overlooked  the  first  frolic  all,  or  nearly  all,  had  on 
landing.  I  find  my  military  frock  so  warm  that  I  am 
getting  another  drap-d'-ete  one  made.  A  franco- 
espagnol  mulatto  promises  to  make  me  one  that  will  fit 
me  well. 

My  old  friend  Dr.  Harney  was  quite  unwell  last 
night;  he  feels  better  to-day,  but  I  fear  he  may  have  a 
very  bad  time — a  severe  fit  of  sickness.  The  Dr.  has 
reached  that  period  of  life  when  the  constitution  has 
frequently  a  severe  struggle  with  the  arch  enemy.  Dr. 


38  An  Artillery  Officer 

Wright  says  that  if  the  Dr.  survives  this  attack  the 
chances  are  that  he  will  be  in  feeble  health  for  about  a 
year,  and  that  then  he  will  enjoy  a  green  old  age. 
The  Drs.  are  making  arrangements  to  establish  a  Mess, 
and  Dr.  Harney  insists  upon  my  living  with  them  as  a 
guest.  I  told  him  that  he  must  let  me  pay  my  portion 
of  the  Mess  bill,  and  that  I  would  join  them  with 
pleasure. 

Genl.  Scott  will  not,  I  presume,  allow  us  to  mess 
here  much  longer.  What  would  I  not  give  to  know 
that  at  this  moment  you  were  well.  With  how  much 
more  alacrity  and  zeal  could  I  attend  to  my  duties, 
had  I  but  that  knowledge  daily !  My  men,  even,  must 
find  me  much  changed,  and  I  expect  wish  you  were 
here  as  I  am  much  more  rigid  with  them  than  I  was  at 
Tampa.  God  grant  that  this  ill-fated  war  may  soon 
be  closed  and  that  I  may  again  see  my  wife.  Good 
night. 

Feb.  nth. 

The  wind  has  abated,  but  the  waves  are  so  high  that 
boats  can  neither  come  in  nor  go  out.  I  fear  that 
there  will  be  no  possible  chance  of  a  mail's  coming  in 
before  Sunday.  If  one  comes  I  must  certainly  hear 
from  you.  Major  Whiting  found  a  letter  here  from 
Mrs.  W. — she  writes,  he  tells  me,  in  fine  spirits.  The 
Major  will  soon  break  down — his  Command  are  in 
tents — he  is  quartered  in  town. 

I  went  to  the  Court  House  for  the  first  time  this 
morning  to  hear  Col.  Baker  of  Illinois,  M.  C.,  and  Col. 
Jackson  of  Savannah.  Col.  B.  is  acting  as  Prosecuting 
Attorney,  and  Col.  J.  appears  for  the  prisoner — an 
American  arraigned  for  the  murder  of  another  Ameri 
can.  The  Georgia  gentleman  is  not  sufficiently  cool 


In  Mexico  39 

for  his  antagonist,  who  is  very  calm,  and  a  much  abler 
man  in  debate.  The  Court  is  composed  of  three  Amer 
ican  citizens,  and  has  been  organized  by  the  order  of 
Genl.  Shields  whilst  in  command  here  for  the  trial  of 
all  civil  and  criminal  offences.  I  am  not  sufficiently 
conversant  with  the  "custom  of  war  in  like  cases,"  con 
sequently  am  not  quite  certain  if  the  Comdg.  Genl.  is 
vested  properly  with  any  authority  to  constitute 
Courts,  appoint  judges,  etc.  The  question  may  be 
brought  before  Congress.  I  do  not  think,  if  they  find 
the  man  guilty,  they  can  venture  to  hang  him.  The 
Court  must  feel  morally  certain  that  they  are  legally 
authorized  to  act,  or  in  case  of  the  reverse,  they  would 
be  guilty  of  murder  were  they  to  have  the  man  hung. 
It  is  now  cold  enough  for  a  fire — if  it  continues  as  cold 
to-morrow,  I  must  purchase  an  earthen  pot,  and  have 
a  charcoal  fire  in  my  quarters.  We  have  a  report  to 
day  that  Santa  Anna  has  been  declared  Dictator.  This 
can  hardly  be  true  as  the  people  are  already  disaffected, 
it  is  said,  towards  him  and  he  is  too  shrewd  to  risk 
popularity  of  so  high-handed  a  measure.  Having  en 
croached  on  my  to-morrow's  page,  I  will  now  bid  you 
good-night. 

Friday  night,  I2th. 

To-day  the  weather  has  been  uncomfortably  cold — 
sufficiently  so  to  make  sitting  by  a  fire  very  comfortable. 
I  have  spent  the  greater  part  of  the  afternoon  with 
my  friends  the  Doctors,  where  there  is  the  only  fire 
place  I  have  seen  in  Tampico.  This  cold  weather 
reconciles  me  to  my  position  in  the  City.  I  have, 
ever  since  my  arrival,  been  urging  the  Adjt.  to 
induce  Genl.  Shields  to  send  me  into  one  of  the  camps. 
Last  night  and  to-day  I  feel  exceedingly  grateful  for 


40  An  Artillery  Officer 

the  privilege  of  being  in  comfortable  quarters,  and 
subscribe  that  what  is,  is  for  the  best,  is  very  good 
doctrine. 

We  hear  to-day  of  the  capture  of  Capt.  Cassius  M. 
Clay  and  his  Company  of  Cavalry  by  the  Mexicans. 
Capt.  Clay  had  seventy,  the  Mexicans  were  said  to 
have  been  1500  strong.  The  newspapers  will  doubtless 
give  you  more  particulars  than  we  have  now,  as  it 
reaches  us  through  the  Mexican  papers.  Per  contra,  our 
troops  to-day  have  captured  500  head  of  cattle.  They 
are  still  greatly  in  our  debt,  and  we  will  soon,  we  hope, 
balance  the  account. 

The  august  Court  of  Tampico,  Chief  Justice  Capers, 
ex-Sutler  8th  Infy.,  and  Associate  Justice  Lumsden  of 
the  Picayune  are  engaged  in  trying  a  Mexican  for 
the  murder  of  the  American  mentioned  in  my  yester 
day's  letter.  The  American  first  arraigned  for  the 
murder  is  to  be  tried  as  an  accessory  to  the  murder 
if  the  Mexican  is  convicted,  as  it  is  said  that  he  got  the 
Mexican  to  kill  him.  Col.  Baker  appeared  as  pro 
secutor  in  the  case  of  the  Mexican,  and  the  jury 
(probably  the  first  one  impanelled  in  Mexico)  will,  I 
think,  find  the  man  guilty.  The  jury  is  composed  of 
American  citizens.  I  am  sorry  they  did  not  give  him 
a  jury  consisting  in  part  of  his  own  countrymen.  It 
would  have  a  better  appearance.  It  would  have  been 
well  to  have  associated  one  of  the  Alcaldes  with  our 
Judges.  The  Mexicans  were  watching  the  trial  with 
great  interest. 

To-morrow  we  are  to  commence  Messing.  Dr. 
Harney  and  I  are  to  look  in  at  the  market  occasionally 
to  see  that  the  servants  do  not  cheat  us  too  much  in 
the  prices.  The  Dr.  is  much  better,  but  says  that  he 
will  take  another  dose  of  calomel  to-night. 


In  Mexico  41 

My  letter  No.  3,  was,  I  am  told,  sent  on  board  a 
vessel  which  went  down  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  this 
morning.  I  fear,  however,  that  the  bar  has  been  too 
rough  for  any  vessel  to  go  out,  and  that  it  will  be  de 
layed  one  day  longer  in  reaching  you.  I  think  I  shall 
venture  some  more  Treasury  Notes  in  this  letter.  I 
may  be  robbed  some  day  or  night  when  I  am  out  of  my 
Quarters,  and  the  chances  of  their  being  lost  in  being 
sent  by  letter  are  so  few  that  I  think  it  best  to  send 
them.  Others  I  find  are  doing  the  same  thing.  Were 
I  certain  that  Col.  Andrews  or  any  other  Paymaster 
is  to  remain  at  Charleston,  I  would  send  on  my  pay 
accounts,  as  the  safest  way  of  sending  funds ;  but  Col. 
Andrews  may  by  this  time  be  under  orders  for  the  Army. 

Good-night. 

Saturday,  1 3th. 

Another  long,  long  day  and  no  mail.  A  vessel 
came  in  from  Baltimore,  but  brings  us  nothing 
later  than  papers  to  the  I9th  Jany.  We  are  indeed  out 
of  the  U.  S.  Tampa  Bay  we  used  to  consider  far  enough 
out  of  the  U.  S. — so  far  out  that  the  mail  was  exceedingly 
irregular,  but  this  is  rather  worse.  To  be  sure  I  was 
not  quite  so  deeply  interested  in  the  arrivals  of  the  mail 
there  as  I  am  here. 

To-night  there  is  every  appearance  of  a  Norther; 
should  it  come  on  to-morrow,  we  may  not  have  a  mail 
for  three  days.  I  will  however  indulge  in  the  hope  that 
we  shall  be  made  happy  on  to-morrow  by  hearing  good 
news  from  our  families.  How  truly  will  it  be  a  day  of 
rejoicing  to  me  if  I  receive  one  of  your  letters  telling 
me  of  your  safe  arrival  at  the  Refuge1  and  say  ing  that 

1  Genl.  Clinch's  plantation.  General  Clinch's  wife's  father,  John 
Houstoun  Mackintosh,  owned  Ft.  George  Island,  near  the  mouth  of 


42  An  Artillery  Officer 

you  were  well  and  in  good  spirits  about  me.  I  shall  do 
admirably  well  if  I  can  only  hear  from  you  now  and  then 
and  know  that  you  are  well. 

Sunday  night. 

Thank  God  the  mail  brought  me  to-day  a  letter 
from  you.  It  was  your  letter  from  the  Withlacoochee 
bearing  the  Tampa  Bay  postmark  of  Jany.  iQth.  I  had 
hoped  to  receive  a  letter  from  you  after  your  arrival  at 
the  Refuge.  But  I  am  thankful,  very  thankful,  for  this 
one.  The  few  words  you  wrote  about  yourself  present 
in  the  strongest  light  what  I  knew  would  be  your  suf 
ferings.  I  pray  Heaven  that  you  may  have  been  saved 
from  sickness  and  great  suffering — which  your  grief 
and  exhaustion  were  so  well  calculated  to  produce. 

Dr.  Cuyler  received  by  this  mail  letters  from  his  wife, 
dated  3ist  Jany.  Assuredly  I  must  receive  two  letters 
from  you  by  the  next  mail.  I  received  by  a  gentleman 
from  Brazos  a  letter  from  Genl.  Scott,  which  I  intended 
enclosing  to  Father,  but  as  I  may  have  good  use  for  it 
here,  it  will  be  better  for  me  to  send  an  epitome  of  its 
contents,  which  will  show  how  wisely  Genl.  Scott  had 
made  his  arrangements,  with  how  great  forethought 
he  acted,  and  how  cruelly  his  plans  have  been  thwarted 
by  delays. 

The  Secretary  of  War  on  Genl.  Scott's  requisition 
ordered  in  Dec.  ten  large  transports  to  be  sent  in 
ballast ;  nothing  has  been  heard  of  them.  Genl.  Jesup 
went  on  the  3rd  Jany.  to  New  Orleans  to  take  up  ships, 
etc.  On  the  22nd  he  had  chartered  almost  enough  for 

the  St.  John's  River,  Florida.  During  the  Spanish  troubles  Mr.  Mack 
intosh  removed  his  family  and  slaves  to  a  tract  of  land  on  the  St. 
Mary's  River,  Georgia,  and  called  the  new  home  the  "  Refuge."  This 
tract  was  a  grant  from  the  Crown  to  his  mother's  father,  Sir  Patrick 
Houstoun,  President  of  His  Majesty's  Council  of  Georgia. 


In  Mexico  43 

8000  men  and  1200  Arty,  and  Cavalry  horses.  They 
were  to  have  left  New  Orleans  on  the  24th ;  but  the  time 
necessary  to  make  extra  water  casks,  the  sailors  striving 
for  higher  wages,  and  finally  a  fog  which  lasted  for  one 
week  have  so  delayed  them  that  only  one  had  reached 
the  Brazos  on  the  nth  inst.  Of  the  heavy  supplies 
of  Ord.  and  Ordnance  Stores  ordered,  only  a  small 
part  has  been  heard  of.  Was  ever  such  ill  fortune ! 

The  Genl.  will  leave  Brazos  as  soon  as  the  transports 
or  most  of  them  come  up.  He  will  stop  here  only  a  day 
or  two  and  will  hasten  to  Lobos,  etc.  We  must  make  an 
attack  on  Vera  Cruz  in  a  few  weeks,  or  abandon  it 
until  Oct.  or  Nov.  Healthy  portions  may  be  found 
in  the  interior,  sufficiently  near  to  haul  our  supplies 
from  this  place.  Col.  Bankhead  arrived  to-day — he 
looks  very  well — we,  or  at  least  many,  think  that  he 
will  be  the  Milty.  Governor  of  this  place  instead  of 
Col.  Gates.  I  think  this  will  be  entirely  as  Col. 
Bankhead  wishes — he  is  an  old  friend  and  favorite  of 
Genl.  Scott's.  Gates  is  neither  the  one  nor  the  other. 
As  I  must  reserve  some  space  for  another  day's  memo 
randa  I  will  now  close. 

Monday  night,  I5th. 

I  have  just  been  informed  that  a  mail  will  be  closed 
early  to-night  to  go  in  the  morning.  As  it  is  uncertain 
when  another  one  will  be  sent,  and  as  I  am  determined 
that  you  shall  have  a  chance  of  hearing  from  me  by 
every  mail,  I  have  determined  though  there  be  no  stir 
ring  incidents  to  season  my  epistle,  to  close  and  send 
this  letter. 

This  day  has  given  us  no  news.  Col.  Bankhead 
assumed  command  of  the  Regt.  to-day  without  taking 
command  of  the  City.  This  looks  a  little  like  a  dis- 


44  An  Artillery  Officer 

inclination  on  his  part  to  interfere  with  Col.  Gates 
in  his  Gubernatorial  capacity.  Genl.  Scott  will  pro 
bably  leave  the  selection  of  the  Officer  to  be  left  in 
command  here  to  Genl.  Patterson.  I  hope  that  Genl. 
Scott  will  take  all  the  Regulars  with  him  leaving  some 
1500  Volunteers  here. 

A  ship  is  reported  off  the  Bar  this  evening;  whether  it 
be  one  of  the  delayed  transports  or  one  of  the  ships 
containing  the  Mississippi  or  the  New  York  Volun 
teers,  we  know  not.  I  did  not  mention  among  the 
other  items  of  Genl.  Scott's  bad  luck,  the  fact  that 
the  Mississippi  Volunteers,  which  were  ordered  to  the 
Brazos  for  Genl.  Taylor's  Division  of  the  Army,  have 
come  down  here!  Genl.  S.  is  now  doubtless  expecting 
them  at  the  Brazos. 

Major  Kirby  is  to  join  Genl.  Scott  as  he  passes  this 
place.  Whether  he  will  be  with  him  merely  as  the 
Senior  Paymaster-General  or  that  he  is  to  serve  in  some 
other  capacity  on  the  Staff,  I  know  not.  Kirby,  if 
he  be  sincerely  attached  (which  I  hope  is  the  case)  to 
Genl.  Scott,  will  be  a  very  good  adviser.  He  is  a 
prudent  man,  and  prudence  is  always  a  virtue  in  the 
Staff  of  a  man  like  Genl.  Scott,  whose  indignation, 
though  justly  excited,  may  sometimes  lead  him  to 
express  himself  too  harshly.  Maj.  Van  Buren  is  with 
the  Genl.  I  don't  think  much  of  him  as  an  adviser. 
You  know  the  Major  however  as  well  as  I  do;  a  very 
amiable  gentleman.  I  hope  that  Capt.  De  Hart  may 
be  in  the  General's  Staff.  He  has  a  very  rough  and 
unpleasantly  independent  way  of  speaking  sometimes 
to  the  Genl.,  and  this  frequently  vexes  him:  but  his 
business  habits,  his  acquaintance  with  details,  and  his 
attachment  to  the  Genl.  render  him  a  very  valuable 
man  to  him.  Genl.  Scott  should  now  have  men  around 


In  Mexico  45 

him  who  will  at  the  risk  of  incurring  for  a  time  his 
displeasure,  speak  the  truth  fully  and  freely  to  him. 
His  magnanimity  will  always  cause  him  to  make 
promptly  the  Amende  honorable  when  he  has  been 
vexed  by  a  person's  not  agreeing  with  him,  and  he 
will  esteem  them  all  the  more  for  it.  Of  one  thing  I 
am  certain,  as  I  said  in  a  former  letter — one  Campaign 
with  this  Army  will  give  Genl.  Scott  a  popularity 
which  he  has  not  at  present.  The  Army  has  been 
lying  idle  here  so  long,  that  the  croakers  are  busily 
at  work;  a  little  active  service  will  send  this  gentry 
into  their  dens  again. 

No.  5.    TAMPICO, 
Tuesday,  i6th. 

I  mailed  a  letter  to  you  in  a  very  great  hurry,  and 
hear  this  evening  that  the  mail  was  not  sent,  and  what 
is  more  vexatious  that  none  will  be  sent  to-morrow. 
I  shall  however  commence  and  continue  this,  as  though 
the  other  were  off,  and  may  probably  send  both  under 
one  envelope  should  no  mail  leave  before  I  finish  this. 

Col.  Bankhead  assumed  command  to-day,  and  the 
first  act  of  his  administration  was  to  order  his  prede 
cessor  into  Camp  with  our  two  companies;  so  that  this 
is  probably  the  last  letter  I  shall  write  you  from  quar 
ters  in  Tampico.  I  do  not  know  the  position  of  the 
site  selected  for  our  Camp,  but  hear  that  it  is  a  pleas 
ant  and  healthy  one.  We  shall  be  about  three  quarters 
of  a  mile  from  where  I  am  now  quartered.  The  Camp 
will  be  composed  of  the  three  Companies  of  the  3rd 
Arty,  now  here,  viz. — "G"  Co.  and  the  Companies 
commanded  by  Lieutenants  Steptoe  and  Wyse. 

The  probabilities  are  in  favor  of  our  being  moved 
again  in  a  few  days,  as  we  learn  that  the  transports  are 
rendezvousing  rapidly  at  the  Lobos  Islands,  a  vessel 


46  An  Artillery  Officer 

which  arrived  this  afternoon  reports  fifteen  large  ships 
at  anchor  there,  and  that  she  met  four  others  on  her 
way  up.  The  inference  is  then  certainly  fair,  that 
those  ordered  to  this  place  may  very  soon  arrive. 

The  important  point  now  discussed  is  what  troops 
are  to  remain.  The  general  impression  seems  to  be 
that  Col.  Gates  is  to  be  left.  Nous  verrons. 

Among  the  rumors  of  the  day,  credited  by  some 
knowing  ones,  is  an  old  one  revived;  that  the  com 
mandant  at  Vera  Cruz  has  received  instructions  from 
Santa  Anna  to  evacuate  the  place,  on  the  arrival 
before  it  of  our  Army,  as  was  done  here.  This  comes 
from  a  Mexican  lady  of  this  place.  I  would  not  be 
astonished  if  it  was  done,  if  we  go  there  with  a  heavy 
battery  (without  which  we  ought  not  to  approach 
the  place)  and  a  well  organized  force. 

Genl.  Scott,  I  am  confident,  feels  the  full  importance 
of  entire  success,  and  will  not  run  the  risk  of  a  failure. 
His  enemies  are  on  the  watch;  his  friends  are  keenly 
and  sensitively  alive  and  will  leave  nothing  unat- 
tempted  in  their  power  to  ensure  success. 

Tattoo  call  has  just  beat;  and  it  is  time  for  me  to 
visit  the  Theatre.  I  have,  I  believe,  omitted  telling  you 
that  among  the  duties  of  the  Officer  of  the  Day,  are  those 
of  going  to  the  Theatre,  the  Fandangoes,  and  all  places 
of  amusement.  Such  a  collection  as  I  saw  at  the  only 
Fandango  I  have  attended  you  can  not  conceive  of — 
from  the  Vol.  Colonel  to  the  drunken  private  soldier 
and  the  black  Mexicanesses — I  soon  became  disgusted, 
but  had  to  remain  for  fear  of  a  row,  to  close  it.  The 
Theatre  is  filled  with  noisy  Volunteers  some  of  whom 
are  taken  away  from  their  frolics  there  every  night 
and  given  a  place  on  the  floor  of  our  filthy  guardhouse. 
At  all  places  of  amusement  are  found  sentinels  with 


GENERAL   WINFIELD    SCOTT 


In  Mexico  47 

their  fixed  bayonets;  they  are  even  on  the  ballroom 
floor.  And  this  is  necessary  to  keep  our  free  and 
independent  citizens  in  order!  Good-night,  it  will  be  so 
late  when  I  return,  that  I  can  write  no  more  to-night. 

Wednesday  night,  I7th. 

I  am  now  writing  from  camp,  having  vacated  my 
quarters  in  town  at  4.30  this  evening.  Mr.  Wyse  came 
in  when  I  had  finished  the  last  sentence  to  talk  about 
the  chance  of  our  remaining  here.  It  seems  that  the 
question  has  been  discussed  to-day,  and  he  says  that 
Col.  Gates  and  our  two  companies  will  form  a  portion 
of  the  garrison.  Genl.  Scott  may  change  the  arrange 
ments  entered  into  by  the  gentlemen  here.  I  shall 
therefore  give  myself  very  little  trouble  about  the 
affair. 

I  saw  to-day  Genl.  Twiggs's  Brigade  drilling  on  the 
plain  near  our  camp.  I  never  saw  so  many  Regulars 
together:  there  were  about  1400  men;  of  the  Rifles, 
1st,  2nd,  3rd,  and  7th  Infantry.  They  made  a  very 
respectable  display;  the  day  was  intensely  warm  and 
two  or  three  of  the  men  fainted  in  the  ranks. 

Of  rumors  we  have  a  full  budget — one,  that  Genl. 
Taylor  has  had  a  fight  with  and  whipped  Genl.  Santa 
Anna;  a  second  report  says  that  Santa  Anna  can  not 
raise  money  to  organize  an  Army,  and  that  Vera  Cruz 
will  certainly  be  abandoned  on  our  approach.  Nous 
verrons.  As  I  am  not  yet  well  arranged  for  writing, 
I  will  here  finish — wishing  you  good-night ;  the  discord 
ance  of  two  camps  beating  tattoo  at  the  same  time 
makes  not  a  very  pleasant  music. 

Thursday,  Feb.  i8th. 
We  are  now  comfortably  fixed  in  our  Camp  which 


4«  An  Artillery  Officer 

has  been  well  and  thoroughly  policed.  I  find  that  I 
am  too  far  from  my  own  Mess  in  town  to  continue  a 
member  of  it;  I  shall  therefore  organize  a  Mess  to 
morrow  in  camp.  I  brought,  you  know,  all  the  furni 
ture,  etc.,  necessary  for  this  purpose.  Finding,  how 
ever,  that  my  pewter  is  not  quite  genteel  enough  for  a 
Tampico  Mess,  where  we  greatly  profess  gentility,  I 
went  to  the  heavy  expense  of  75  cts.  for  a  china  bowl 
and  plate.  The  pattern  is  a  very  pretty  one,  as  you 
may  see  some  day  from  the  fragments.  I  have  not 
succeeded  in  finding  any  curiosities  or  rarities  which 
I  thought  worth  procuring  and  keeping  for  you. 

When  in  town  this  morning,  I  called  to  see  Maj. 
McCall,  Genl.  Patterson's  Adjt.  Genl.,  in  consequence 
of  Mr.  Wyse's  conversation  with  me  last  night,  and 
asked  him  whether  the  designation  of  the  companies 
to  remain  here  was  made  by  him  or  by  Genl.  Scott's 
Adjt.  Genl.  He  said  that  Genl.  Scott  would  designate 
the  garrison.  Thus  falls  to  the  ground  the  castles 
which  our  knowing  ones  have  been  building  for  their 
friends  during  the  last  few  days. 

We  had  a  report  this  morning  that  Capt.  Huger  was 
off  the  bar  to-day.  I  could  not  trace  the  report  to  a 
reliable  source,  though  I  thought  it  might  well  be  so. 
He  must  have  been  under  orders  in  Dec.  or  Jany. ;  and 
should  have  arrived  before  this  time.  Genl.  Scott 
will  be  here  at  7.30  to-morrow. 

Why  does  not  Congress  act  on  the  Army  Bills;  the 
President's  earnest  recommendations  have  not  been 
acquiesced  in.  It  is  highly  important  that  Genl. 
Scott  should  have  the  ten  Regiments  of  Regulars  so 
strongly  recommended  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  at 
the  earliest  moment,  and  yet,  at  our  latest  advices 
from  Washington,  they  were  gravely  discussing  the 


In  Mexico  49 

question  of  giving  Volunteers  in  place  of  Regulars. 
Had  Congress  been  serious  in  desiring  to  prosecute  the 
War  vigorously,  they  would  have  passed  the  Bill  pro 
posed,  or  some  other  for  increasing  the  Army,  in  the 
first  two  weeks  of  its  Session,  and  some  of  the  Regts. 
might  have  been  now  in  the  field.  Now  the  passage 
of  any  Bill  augmenting  the  Army  can  do  no  good  until 
next  winter.  Our  armies  are  not  sufficiently  strong 
for  invasion;  we  may  occupy  the  seaport  towns  and 
healthy  positions  near  them,  but  can  not  throw  our 
forces  far  into  the  interior. 

I  learn  to-day  from  a  very  reliable  source  that  there 
is  much  bitter  feeling  between  the  Volunteer  Generals. 
I  fear  that  this  feeling  may  be  extended  by  them 
towards  Genl.  Scott,  who  comes  to  an  army,  I  am 
sorry  to  say  it,  strongly  prejudiced  against  him.  Bragg 
in  the  Arty,  and  Lt.  Don  Carlos  Buell  in  the  Infy.,  or, 
at  least,  Genl.  Scott's  action  in  their  cases,  have  had 
much  weight  in  producing  this  feeling.  You  can 
readily  conceive  the  anxiety  I  feel  on  this  account. 
I  am  apprehensive  that  the  prejudice  is  so  strong  as 
to  mislead  many  honorable  men,  who  can  not  give 
his  acts  a  fair  trial.  Once  in  a  campaign  and  in  a 
glorious  action,  and  all  must  be,  will  be,  right — envy 
and  malice  will  [not]  then  be  so  powerful  to  injure  as 
now,  and  the  very  men  who  now  dare  to  speak  slight 
ingly,  and  disrespectfully  of  him,  will  be  loudest  and 
most  fulsome  in  his  adulation. 

I  hear  to-night  that  a  mail  from  New  Orleans  will 
leave  early  in  the  morning,  and  as  I  am  not  now  so 
near  the  Post  Office  as  when  in  town,  I  will  not  be 
able  to  spoil  this  letter  by  cross  writing.  Mr.  Wyse 
promised  to  call  for  my  letter  after  tattoo,  and  as  the 
call  has  beat,  I  must  now  close. 


so  An  Artillery  Officer 

No.  6.     In  Camp,  TAMPICO 
Sat.,  Feb.  2Oth. 

Thank  God  I  have  at  last  received  letters  from  you. 
Yours  of  the  yth,  I4th,  2ist,  and  29th,  Jany.  were 
received  yesterday  morning.  With  what  gratitude  do 
I  thank  our  Heavenly  Father  for  having  restored  you 
to  health.  And  you  have  suffered  so  severely,  my  poor 
wife.  What  wou  d  have  become  of  you  had  you  been 
among  strangers,  worn  out  by  worrying  about  me? 
Now  I  feel  that  you  are  surrounded  by  those  whose 
love  and  affection  will  anticipate  all  your  wishes, 
whose  devotion  encircles  you  with  care  and  atten 
tions  which  strangers  would  never  think  of,  and 
which  in  the  sick  room  are  so  much  needed,  so  highly 
appreciated.  Is  it  not  true  that  in  this  case  all  was 
ordered  for  the  best?  I  will  not  ask  you  to  thank 
all  the  family,  the  attentions  of  each  of  whom 
have  been  so  warmly  dwelt  upon  in  your  letters — this 
would  be  too  cold  and  formal.  But  I  do  thank  God 
for  having  given  us  relations  with  hearts  so  warm  and 
so  true. 

I  will  not  attempt  to  state  the  feelings  which  per 
vaded  my  heart  when  I  read  your  most,  most  welcome 
letters.  How  often  did  I  have  to  stop  reading — some 
sentiment  of  yours  brought  you  before  me  so  plainly, 
and  yet  so  far  are  we  separated,  and  so  much  un 
certainty  is  there  about  the  time  of  our  meeting  again. 
God  will,  I  know,  continue  to  protect  and  bless  you. 

As  my  scribble  on  the  side  of  No.  5  indicated,  Genl. 
Scott  was  that  night  off  the  bar,  and  arrived  yesterday 
morning.  He  was  received  and  escorted  to  his  quar 
ters  by  four  companies  of  Arty. ;  Capt.  Wm.  McKenzie, 
Commander,  Capt.  A.  Compy.,  the  right  Compy. 
The  Genl.  looked,  on  arriving,  somewhat  worried; 


In   Mexico  51 

he  went  off  this  afternoon,  I  think,  in  better  spirits. 
He  issued  yesterday  his  Orders  naming  his  Staff 
Officers,  and  declaring  Martial  Law  to  prevail  wherever 
any  part  of  the  Army  might  be.  I  send  a  copy  of  the 
newspaper  containing  them. 

I  met  many  of  my  old  friends — Major  Smith,  Engin 
eers  Col.  Totten,  Capt.  C.  F.  Smith,  Capt.  Joe  Johnson, 
Lt.  Scott,  A.  D.  C.,  Capt.  Swartwout,  A.D.C.  Williams, 
etc.,  etc.,  etc.  All  are  in  fine  spirits.  I  have  not 
mentioned  my  old  friend  Capt.  Huger,  who  dined  with 
me  to-day  on  " Armadillo"  and  other  nice  dishes. 
He  has  brought  out  the  heavy  Ordnance,  the  arrival 
of  which  has  been  so  anxiously  hoped  for.  Col.  Gates 
will  remain  here  with  one  compy.  of  Arty,  and  1200 
Volunteers.  Col.  De  Russy  has  been  ordered  to 
remain  with  the  Louisiana  Volunteers;  this  is  a  bitter 
pill  for  them  to  swallow.  I  saw  very  little  of  Genl. 
Scott;  knowing  how  busy  he  would  be,  I  purposely 
avoided  going  near  him.  He  enquired  most  affec 
tionately  about  Father  and  the  family;  says  that  the 
Genl.  owes  him  two  letters.  I  wish  you  would 
ask  Father  to  write  to  him,  directing  to  the  care  of 
Col.  Hunt,  who  will  forward  it.  Having  largely  tres 
passed  on  my  to-morrow's  pages,  I  will  now  bid  you 
good-night.  God  bless  you. 

Sunday,  2ist. 

The  Norther  which  raged  last  night  with  considerable 
force,  must  have  carried  Genl.  Scott  down  to  Lobos 
early  to-day ;  he  is,  I  suppose,  safely  anchored  there  to 
night.  Last  night  reminded  me  of  some  of  the  stormy 
nights  we  had  at  Tampa  Bay.  Luckily  the  Sentinels 
of  our  Camp  are  not  far  from  each  other,  and  it  did 
not  take  me  long  to  visit  them.  I  took  advantage 


52  An  Artillery  Officer 

of  a  lull,  and  paid  my  visit  rapidly  between  two  showers. 
To-night  the  wind  is  pretty  high,  but  there  is  no  rain. 

I  have  this  evening  distressed  Lt.  Judd  by  telling 
him  that  I  intended  applying  for  him  to  join  my 
Compy.  He  has  just  succeeded  in  having  Lt.  Step- 
toe's  Compy.  organized  as  a  Compy.  of  Foot  Artillery, 
and  it  will  go  hard  with  him  to  have  to  leave  it,  but 
I  must  now  have  all  the  officers  who  properly  belong  to 
it,  if  I  can  get  them.  Col.  Gates  said  this  evening 
that  he  would  order  him  to  the  Compy.,  but  he  may 
change  his  mind  to-morrow. 

An  English  gentleman  of  high  character  informed 
us  last  night  that  he  had  received  advices  from  Mexico 
to  the  1 3th  inst.  stating  that  a  bearer  of  dispatches 
had  been  sent  by  our  Govt.  to  the  Mexican;  the  nature 
of  the  communication  was  not  known.  It  is  said 
that  the  bearer  of  the  dispatches  is  a  Mexican,  who 
has  been  during  the  last  year  in  some  official  cor 
respondence  with  our  Secy,  of  State,  and  who  has 
constantly  taken  the  ground  that  a  peace  might  be 
honorably  adjusted  by  the  two  Govts.  News  from  San 
Luis  Potosi  to  the  7th  was  also  received  by  Mr.  White- 
head,  which  represents  that  Santa  Anna  has  advanced 
50  leagues  towards  Genl.  Taylor  and  that  he  had  then 
halted,  having  learned  that  the  Genl.  was  stronger  than 
he  believed  him  to  be.  Information  also  states  that  the 
Mexican  Congress  has  informed  Santa  Anna  that  no 
money  can  be  raised  for  him,  that  he  must  subsist  his 
army  as  best  he  can.  Before  this  reaches  you,  you 
will  have  heard  whether  these  rumors  are  confirmed. 

Genl.  Twiggs's  Brigade  will  commence  embarking 
as  soon  as  the  bar  becomes  quiet  enough  for  them  to 
cross.  It  will  be  succeeded  by  the  other  troops  as 
rapidly  as  they  can  be  got  off.  A  large  steamboat 


In  Mexico  53 

was  reported  off  the  bar  this  afternoon;  it  is  supposed 
to  be  the  Alabama  from  New  Orleans.  She  has 
probably  run  out  to  sea  again;  and  will,  I  hope,  return 
to-morrow,  and  give  us  a  mail  with  later  news  from  my 
wife.  I  must  leave  a  little  space  for  to-morrow  on  this 
side.  That  our  Heavenly  Father  may  protect  and 
guard  you,  and  soon  restore  me  to  you  is  my  earnest, 
my  constant  prayer.  Good-night.  The  Taps  have 
just  been  given. 

Monday,  22nd. 

Washington's  Birthday.  I  am,  with  my  company, 
in  the  City  to-day  guarding  the  City.  Col.  Bankhead 
showed  me  the  order  of  Genl.  Patterson  directing  the 
Arty,  companies  to  be  embarked  next  after  Genl. 
Twiggs's  Brigade,  which  will,  I  suppose,  commence  its 
removal  to-morrow.  The  steamer  reported  off  the 
bar  yesterday  has  not  yet  come  in.  She  is  thought  to 
be  the  Alabama. 

Of  news  we  have  nothing  to-day.  I  am  seated  in 
Dr.  Harney's  parlor,  with  the  Dr.  in  front  of  me  on 
the  sofa.  Lt.  Beckwith,  3rd.  Arty.,  is  on  my  left,  and 
Lt.  Van  Vliet  is  walking  across  the  room; — as  they 
are  talking  I  find  that  I  shall  have  to  defer  my  writing 
till  I  can  steal  a  more  favorable  moment,  when  I  shall 
resume  and  finish  to-night,  and  mail  will  go  to-morrow. 

9.30  P.M.,  Monday. 

I  had  intended  writing  you  a  good  long  letter,  but 
as  Officer  of  the  Day,  I  shall  have  so  much  to  do  that 
I  shall  have  to  content  myself  with  this  letter  with 
a  slight  addition  to  it.  It  will  be  useless  for  me  to 
keep  it  out  of  the  Post  Office  to-night  for  the  chance  of 
the  mail's  not  going  off  until  the  afternoon  of  to-morrow, 


54  An  Artillery  Officer 

as  I  learn  that  I  am  named  as  Judge  Advocate  and 
Recorder  to  a  Military  Commission  to  try  a  Mexican 
Spy  to-morrow. 

This  is  the  first  Board  organized  under  Genl.  Scott's 
order  declaring  Martial  Law.  The  Commission  is 
composed  of  Col.  Bankhead,  Col.  Gates,  Col.  Campbell, 
Tenn.  Vols.,  Lt.  Col.  Bel  ton,  and  another  Vol.  Officer.  I 
regret  exceedingly  being  placed  on  the  Commission, 
as  it  is  a  question  which  will  attract  much  attention, 
and  should  be  managed  by  an  officer  of  much  more 
experience  and  talents  than  myself.  Capt.  De  Hart 
should  have  been  sent  here  to  act  on  the  Court. 

I  do  not  think  that  the  Prosecuting  Officer  will  be 
able  to  sustain  the  charge,  as  I  can  not  conceive  the 
necessity  for  the  Mexican  General  having  sent  a  spy 
to  this  city,  whose  inhabitants  are  in  daily  communica 
tion  with  their  friends  in  the  Army  and  elsewhere.  Again 
it  may  be  apprehended  that  if  he  be  found  guilty  and 
executed  under  our  sentence,  the  Mexicans  may  cause 
Lt.  Rodgers  of  the  Navy,  a  prisoner  in  Vera  Cruz, 
to  share  the  same  fate.  Joaquim  Nogales,  our  pris 
oner,  is  said  to  be  a  Sergeant  in  Genl.  Urea's  part 
of  the  Army,  and  was  apprehended  by  Major  Morris, 
who  prefers  the  Charges. 

I  shall  not  be  able  to  send  you  by  this  mail  the  copy 
of  Genl.  Scott's  order  which  I  intended  sending.  You 
will  find  a  copy  in  the  next  newspaper  which  I  send. 
Maj.  McCall  has  just  sent  me  word  that  he  wants 
to  see  me,  and  I  must  go  over. — I  have  just  returned ; 
he  gave  me  the  order  detailing  the  Military  Com 
mission  and  the  charges  against  Nogales.  They  are 
hardly  strong  enough  to  convict  him  of  being  a  spy. 
I  must  study  the  case.  Good-night,  may  our  Heavenly 
Father  bless  you. 


In  Mexico  55 

No.  7.    TAMPICO. 
Wednesday,  Feb.  24. 

As  I  was  engaged  yesterday  on  the  first  "Military 
Commission, "  I  did  not  feel  like  writing  at  night,  and 
retired  at  early  candle  light.  This  morning  I  received 
orders  to  prepare  my  Compy.  for  embarkation,  and 
as  I  have  much  to  think  of  and  to  arrange  to-night, 
as  we  embark  early  to-morrow,  I  fear  that  my  last 
letter  from  Tampico  must  necessarily  be  a  short  one. 

Before  commencing  my  daily  narrative  of  events, 
rumors,  etc.,  since  the  close  of  my  last,  I  may  as  well 
tell  how  near  I  was  being  kept  here  by  Col.  Gates.  My 
last  mentioned  that  the  Col.  was  to  remain  here  with 
one  Compy.  of  his  Regt.  This  decision  was  made 
the  day  Genl.  Scott  left.  That  morning,  Adjt.  Austine 
informed  me  that  Col.  G.  had  selected  me.  I  immedi 
ately  went  to  his  Quarters  and  asked  him  if  that  was  so. 
He  answered  me  in  the  affirmative,  said  that  he  had 
been  treated  with  great  discourtesy  in  being  separated 
from  his  Regt.,  and  that,  saying  divers  complimentary 
things,  he  had  selected  me  to  remain  with  him.  I 
stated  that,  from  the  relations  which  had  always 
existed  between  us,  I  knew  that  he  would  not  mis 
understand  me,  when  I  informed  him  that  I  would 
appeal  from  his  decision;  that  as  the  ranking  officer 
of  those  in  command  of  Companies  of  the  3rd  Regt. 
here,  I  claimed  that  I  was  entitled  to  be  first  sent  on 
armed  service.  He  said  that  there  would  be  no 
misunderstanding  between  us. 

I  left  him,  and  had  barely  seated  myself  to  write  my 
appeal,  when  Col.  Bankhead's  orderly  came  in  and 
said  that  Col.  B.  wished  to  see  me,  at  his  Quarters. 
I  went,  when  he  informed  me  that  it  was  strange  that 
Col.  Gates  had  misunderstood  him;  that  he  had  in- 


56  An  Artillery   Officer 

formed  him  as  plainly  as  he  could  speak  the  English 
language  that  he,  Col.  B.  would,  to  prevent  any  heart 
burnings  between  him  and  his  officers,  make  the 
selection.  He  then  said,  that  next  to  the  officers  of 
his  own  Regt.,  he  would  rather  have  me  with  him  than 
any  one  else.  And  wound  up  by  stating  that  he  would 
not  make  the  selection  till  Genl.  Scott  left. 

Immediately  on  Genl.  Scott's  leaving,  he  informed 
Mr.  Wyse  that  his  Compy.  would  remain.  Col. 
Bankhead  told  Col.  Gates  subsequently,  that  Genl. 
Scott  had  said  that  he  wanted  me  in  the  trenches 
with  him. 

So  much  for  being  too  popular.  I  have  made  a  very 
narrow  escape.  There  is  so  much  in  the  preceding 
which  would  not  be  written  to  any  one  else  but  yourself, 
as  it  looks  exceedingly  like 'egotism,  that  I  hope  you 
will  not  read  or  let  it  be  read  by  any  one. 

The  Company  is  to  embark  in  a  very  fine  sailer  with 
accommodations  for  about  thirty  men  more  than  the 
company  musters.  I  have  to  leave  "Ruh"  in  the 
Hospital  here.  He  was  shot  accidentally  in  the  calf 
of  his  leg,  by  a  revolver  in  the  hands  of  one  of  Mr. 
Wyse's  Compy.  and  will  not  be  able  to  go  with  us. 
I  must  have  him  sent  on  to  join  me  as  soon  as  he  gets 
sufficiently  well.  Mr.  Judd  has  managed  to  keep 
from  joining  the  Compy.,  as  he  prefers  remaining 
with  Mr.  Steptoe  whose  Compy.  he  managed  to  have 
converted  into  a  battery  of  Foot  Artillery.  But  I 
think,  as  he  has  not  been  transferred  from  the  Compy. 
I  will  get  him  back  as  soon  as  I  get  to  Genl.  Scott 's 
Headquarters. 

And  now  about  the  grand  "Military  Commission" 
which  met  yesterday  to  try  the  spy.  On  the  assembling 
of  the  Court,  after  a  few  remarks,  the  names  of  the 


In  Mexico  57 

members  were  called,  when,  before  the  prisoner  was 
brought  in,  I  presented  the  question  as  to  our  com 
petency  to  try  a  spy,  and  stated  that  we  were  debarred 
from  doing  so  by  Genl.  Scott's  order,  and  by  the  Rules 
and  Articles  of  War,  which  declare  that  spies  shall  be 
tried  by  Genl.  Courts- Martial.  The  question  was  put 
— the  objection  sustained — when  I  wrote  a  letter  com 
municating  the  fact  to  Genl.  Patterson;  the  moment 
I  explained  the  grounds  of  our  decision,  he  stated  that 
we  were  right,  and  informed  me  that  he  would  have  an 
order  issued  dissolving  the  Commission.  Thus  was  I 
relieved  from  a  most  unwelcome  and  troublesome  task. 
The  fates  are  decidedly  in  my  favor — I  ask  pardon,  I 
am  no  fatalist,  even  in  jest,  and  firmly  believe  that  the 
Great  God  orders  all  events.  He  speaks  to  us  whether 
in  the  gentle  zephyr  or  in  the  raging  storm. 

Adjutant  Austine  goes  with  us.  Col.  Gates  was 
quite  angry  when  Mr.  A.  told  him  he  must  go;  but 
afterwards  consented.  The  Col.  keeps  the  band;  we 
take  the  Colors,  and  the  Adjt.,  Col.  Childs,  and  Capt. 
Vinton  will  be  with  us. 

We  have  rumors  again  that  a  messenger  has  been 
sent  to  the  Mexican  Govt.  with  an  offer  to  take  north 
of  a  line  running  through  Matamoros,  to  embrace  a 
part  of  California,  Santa  F6,  etc. ;  and  that  we  will  give 
her  twenty  millions  from  which  the  claims  of  our 
citizens  on  her  Govt.  are  to  be  discounted.  These 
terms  do  not  appear  to  me  very  liberal.  Whether  the 
Mexicans  will  accept,  no  one  knows.  I  believe  that 
the  Govt.  at  Washington  would  do  any  honorable 
thing — may  be  that  word  is  too  short — to  prevent 
Genl.  Scott  from  conquering  a  peace.  We  will  see. 

Friend  Derr  and  I  get  on  very  well  together.  He 
goes  on  guard  with  me  when  I  am  Officer  of  the  Day, 


58  An  Artillery  Officer 

and  does  not  therefore  miss  any  of  his  duties.  I  will 
reserve  a  little  space  for  to-morrow  morning,  when,  if 
possible,  I  will  add  a  few  words  more.  Good-night, 
my  wife.  Good-night. 

February  25th. 

My  Compy.  is  now  on  board,  and  I  am  waiting  for 
the  return  of  the  lighter  to  go  on  board.  Col.  Belton 
and  Lt.  Andrews  are  the  only  officers  who  go  in  the 
same  vessel.  The  wind  is  now  ahead,  and  it  seems 
doubtful  whether  we  shall  leave  to-night  or  not;  it  is 
now  2.30  o'clock.  Genl.  Patterson  will,  it  is  said, 
leave  the  day  after  to-morrow  in  the  steamboat  Ala 
bama.  For  safety  and  the  chance  of  making  snug 
harbors  I  prefer  our  little  schooner,  the  Regina  Hill.  I 
intended  sending  another  trio  of  drafts,  but  as  I  am 
separated  from  my  baggage,  I  cannot. 

No.  8.    TAMPICO, 

February  27th,  Saturday. 

It  appears  now,  my  wife,  that  my  last,  very  hurried 
letter  might  have  been  finished  at  my  leisure.  A 
Norther  was  brewing  as  we  went  on  board,  and  yester 
day  morning  the  breakers  were  so  high  on  the  bar  that 
no  vessels  went  out.  The  wind  is  now  lulling  and  it  is 
probable  that  the  gallant  little  barque  will  sail  to 
morrow.  I  very  innocently  came  up  to  see  my  friends 
the  Doctors  on  Thursday  night,  as  I  thought  a  night  on 
shore  would  be  better  for  me  than  one  on  board,  but 
they  refused  to  let  me  return,  and  here  I  am  separated 
from  the  Company  by  a  cold.  They  have  given  me  no 
medicine  but  one  dose  of  magnesia;  but  say  that  I 
shall  not  expose  myself  by  unnecessarily  accompanying 
the  command  in  a  small  vessel  without  medical  atten- 


In  Mexico  59 

dance,  when  they  can  take  me  with  them  in  the  steamer 
Alabama,  which,  leaving  to-morrow,  or  the  next  day, 
will  reach  Lobos  before  the  Regina  Hill. 

My  cough  is  less  violent  than  when  I  left  the  vessel. 
You  know  that  generally  I  am  very  little  affected  by 
colds,  recovering  frequently  from  those  that  are  very 
severe  in  one  night.  I  have  no  pains  or  aches,  simply 
a  cough,  and  hope  that  with  a  change  of  weather  I 
shall  be  again  well  enough  to  rejoin  and  go  down  with 
the  Compy.  I  have  a  piece  of  news  for  you. 

Did  I  not  mention  in  one  of  my  first  letters  that  Mrs. 
Gates  had  been  invited  by  Mrs.  Chase  (the  lady  who 
first  raised  our  flag)  to  come  on?  She  is  now  here.  I 
have  not  seen  her,  but  intend,  if  to-morrow  is  a  mild  day, 
to  call  on  her.  Her  arrival  will,  I  hope,  make  our  Col. 
better  satisfied  with  his  position  here.  She  had,  I  hear, 
some  difficulties  to  contend  with,  in  getting  here.  The 
Col.  will,  I  suppose,  tell  the  whole  story  when  I  see  him. 

Mr.  Wyse  called  to  see  me  this  afternoon;  he  seems 
very  well  contented,  and  talks  about  his  Company's 
being  mounted.  It  is  very  well  that  all  men  are  not 
constituted  alike.  I  feel  very  certain  that  with  all 
my  attachment  to  my  profession,  I  would  have  re 
signed  and  gone  to  Vera  Cruz  as  a  Volunteer,  rather 
than  to  have  remained  here.  I  am  glad,  however, 
that  I  was  not  put  to  the  trial. 

8  P.M.  Mr.  Judd  has  just  left,  having  called  to  see 
me.  He  expects  to  start  to-morrow  or  the  next  day. 

Before  I  stop  I  will  take  you  a  walk  through  the 
market.  In  the  first  place  you  see  the  "Flag  of  our 
Country  " ;  it  is  placed  on  a  platform  intended  to  receive 
a  statue  of  Genl.  Santa  Anna.  The  house  is  the  guard 
house;  the  square  is  paved  with  stones.  Let  us  com 
mence  with  the  people  farthest  from  the  river.  I  have 


60  An  Artillery  Officer 

marked  the  line  i.1  Here  you  see  tables  and  people — 
soldiers  and  others — drinking  coffee  and  chocolate  with 
cakes  and  bread.  The  coffee  is  kept  hot  in  large  tin 
urns  with  charcoal  burning  under  them.  You  ask 
me  what  that  Mexican  woman  is  doing  there,  turning 
a  stick  between  the  palms  of  her  hands  as  she  stoops 
over  that  earthen  pot  on  the  fire.  She  is  making 
a  cup  of  chocolate  for  some  one.  She  will  pour  some 
out,  then  put  it  on  the  fire  and  turn  her  stick  in  it 
again,  and  then  pour  more  out;  now  she  puts  a  piece  of 
sponge  cake  into  the  saucer,  and  hands  it  to  that  man ; 
he  pays  her  sixpence  for  it,  and  she  smiles  as  pleasantly 
as  if  he  had  made  her  a  present. 

A  little  farther  on  you  see  a  pile  of  curious-shaped 
earthen  pots;  they  are  used  for  cooking,  some  are 
for  meats  and  vegetables,  others  for  chocolate,  and 
others  are  water  jars.  Next  you  see  several  straw  hats ; 
they  are  worn  by  the  people  of  the  country;  the  prices 
are  from  25  cts.  apiece  to  $1.50.  That  man  is  selling 
coarse  Mexican  blankets  and  some  common  cotton 
goods. 

Now  we  will  commence  with  the  next  line;  here  you 
see  no  tables,  the  articles  are  either  in  open  boxes 
slightly  raised  on  one  side,  on  coarse  matting,  or  upon 
the  pavement.  The  first  box  contains  a  large  dried 
black  pepper ;  this  is  the  sweet  pepper ;  next  are  green 
peppers,  bird's-eye  peppers,  the  true  cayenne,  and 
another  kind  somewhat  larger.  There  are  black 
beans,  the  favorite  bean,  about  the  size  of  our  garden 
pea;  next  the  large  kidney,  then  the  common  pea; 
then  a  small  flat  bean  much  used  with  rice,  a  box  of 
which  comes  next;  take  care  that  you  don't  tread 
upon  that  fine  large  lettuce  or  upon  those  egg-plants. 

1 A  diagram  was  enclosed  in  letter. 


In  Mexico  6l 

But  what  is  that  man  doing?  See,  he  has  a  kind  of 
bag,  which  seems  filled  with  moss,  and  he  is  taking 
something  out  of  it  and  opening  the  moss  which  is  made 
into  a  kind  of  ball ;  they  are  eggs  which  he  has  brought 
to  market  on  the  back  of  a  donkey.  Each  ball  holds 
an  egg  carefully  wrapped.  See,  there  is  another  man 
who  is  opening  corn  shucks  in  which  he  has  fastened 
his  eggs. 

Most  of  them  in  this  and  the  next  line  have  nearly 
the  same  things;  here  is  a  vegetable  something  like 
the  egg-plant  in  its  form,  but  that  it  is  flattened;  it  has 
a  deep  crease  at  one  end,  and  a  piece  projecting  out  like 
a  tongue;  the  plant  has  small  points  on  it  which  do  not 
stick  you;  this  plant  is  cooked  like  the  egg-plant,  but 
I  think  it  is  much  better.  I  have  tried  to  get  the  seed, 
but  was  told  that  the  fruit  itself  was  planted,  and  that 
the  part  looking  like  a  tongue  will  grow  into  a  vine 
on  which  some  fifty  or  sixty  of  these  will  grow.  I  will 
try  to  take  one  to  Father.  That  pretty  red  bird  you  see 
there  is  the  pink  curlew;  its  feathers  are  beautiful; 
you  must  have  some  to  make  a  fan;  he  asks  12^  cts. 
for  it  and  says  it  is  good  to  eat.  It  is  not  very  good. 
That  basket-looking  coop  made  of  corn-stalks  holds 
chickens.  Ducks  and  turkeys  you  see  here.  That 
man  has  sugar  cane  and  plantains  for  sale;  the  next 
one  bananas,  $1.00  for  a  bunch  of  green  ones;  we  won't 
give  it — we  may  find  some  ripe  ones  farther  on. 

But  come,  we  must  make  haste,  and  return  home;  we 
have  not  the  time  to  see  all  the  things  this  morning 
and  will  glance  along  as  we  run  through  these  lanes  of 
market  people  near  the  river.  In  the  boats  are  very 
fine  fish;  look  at  those  turtles  with  supple  twigs  tied 
around  their  bodies  between  their  shells  and  their 
legs,  so  that  they  can't  move  their  legs;  there  is  corn, 


62  An  Artillery  Officer 

rice,  dried  corn,  coarse  salt,  Mexican  soap,  raisins, 
onions,  garlic,  cabbage,  mint,  parsley  in  small  bundles, 
cigaritos  (small  paper  cigars  smoked  by  ladies!  as 
well  as  gentlemen) ;  the  most  beautiful  white  lard  you 
ever  saw;  sweet  potatoes,  Irish  potatoes;  tomatoes, 
some  very  small — the  wild  tomatoes — others  red  like 
our  common  ones,  and  some  of  a  very  rich  yellow; 
radishes,  green  peas — see  those  long  strips  piled  up  on 
those  cow  hides — that  is  jerked  beef. 

Look  at  that  donkey,  see  his  tail  trimmed.  He 
has  naturally,  the  poor  creature,  very  little  hair  on  it. 
On  his  back  you  see  four  layers  or  steps  of  bottles. 
That  is  a  common  drink  of  the  country  made  of  cane 
juice.  There  goes  another  donkey  carrying  water;  he 
has  four  kegs;  when  the  man  stops  to  sell  his  load,  he 
places  a  wide  leather  strap  over  the  eyes  of  his  donkey ; 
this  keeps  the  animal  quiet  and  still — a  pair  of  leather 
spectacles.  But  here  we  are  at  home.  We  may  take 
another  walk  through  the  market  in  Vera  Cruz. 

1.30,  Sunday  morning,  Feb.  28th. 

I  have  heard  that  Genl.  Worth  is  off  the  mouth  of  the 
River,  and  that  a  mail  has  been  received  at  the  office. 
I  will  run  down  to  see  if  I  cannot  get  a  letter  from 
you. — 3.15.  Thank  God  the  mail  did  bring  me  two 
letters  from  my  wife. 

My  letters,  which  you  will  have  received  long  ere  this, 
will  have  removed  all  cause  of  uneasiness  about  the 
uncertainty  of  my  arrival  here,  and  subsequent  letters 
will  have  informed  you  how  well  I  have  been  taken 
care  of  since  my  arrival.  Place  your  confidence,  and 
place  it  freely  and  fully,  in  Almighty  God  who  has 
always  been  more  careful  of  me  than  I  have  deserved, 
and  you  will  then  feel  that  all  will  go  right.  Repine 


In  Mexico  63 

not  that  He  has  separated  us  for  a  while;  He  knows 
what  is  best ;  we  can  not  look  wisely  ahead  for  a  single 
hour.  The  end  will  convince  us  of  His  foresight,  our 
shortsightedness;  His  wisdom,  our  folly. 

You  express  apprehensions  about  your  letters,  that 
I  may  never  receive  them.  I  think  I  have  them  all: 
Jany.  7,  14,  21,  29;  Feby.  4  and  12.  In  your  letter  of 
the  4th  of  Feby.  you  say  that  it  is  your  fifth;  such  you 
see  my  table  of  letters  received  makes  it.  You  ask 
whether  it  is  worth  while  for  you  to  send  the  Intelligencer; 
scarcely,  because  I  see  from  the  loose  manner  in  which 
business  is  transacted  here  in  the  Post  Office,  that  any 
person  can  go  in  and  help  himself  to  any  papers  he 
chooses.  I  hear  from  my  friends  who  read  papers, 
all  the  news.  I  do  not  feel  much  like  reading. 

I  have  just  heard  that  Genl.  Patterson  has  notified 
the  gentlemen  who  are  to  accompany  him  that  the 
Alabama  will  leave  at  9  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The 
Regina  is  still  at  the  mouth  of  the  River,  and  I  think 
it  probable  that  I  may  leave  the  Alabama  and  get  on 
board  with  the  rest  of  the  "G's." 

Dr.  Cuyler  received  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Cuyler  as  late 
as  the  1 3th.  She  writes  that  she  had  heard  from  Miss 
Johanna  Wade  that  the  Major  had  been  ordered  to 
Tampico.  Col.  Gates  will,  I  presume,  detain  the  Major 
with  his  Compy.  at  this  place — he  will  meet  his  brother- 
in-law,  Major  Buchanan,  here  in  command  of  the 
Baltimore  troops. 

The  Army  Bill  I  see  has  passed;  it  may  help  me  a 
little.  I  am  very  much  pleased  with  the  synopsis  you 
give  of  your  newspaper  readings.  I  learn  from  it  many 
things  which  I  had  not  before  heard. 

You  must  not  write  me  such  long  letters — one  page 
telling  me  that  all  are  well  and  that  you  are  walking 


64  An  Artillery  Officer 

about  and  getting  strong  again,  would  give  all  the 
pleasure  I  can  receive  from  any  letters,  and  particularly 
when  I  know  that  the  effort  necessary  to  write  those 
long  letters  tires  you.  Let  me  urge  you  by  all  the 
love  you  bear  me,  and  I  know  its  weight  and  its 
worth,  to  take  care  of  yourself.  Look  at  events  which 
have  passed.  Do  you  not  see  how  groundless  were  a 
thousand  fears  which  have  harassed  and  worried  your 
life  out?  The  uncertainty  of  the  departure  of  our 
mails,  though  I  have  put  you  on  your  guard  against 
it,  has  caused  you,  I  know,  many  bitter  hours  of  anxiety 
and  uneasiness.  This  letter  I  leave  under  a  promise 
from  the  Postmaster  that  it  will  go  the  day  after  to 
morrow.  It  may,  however,  remain  here  a  week.  When 
I  shall  have  another  opportunity  of  sending  a  letter 
off,  no  one  can  tell.  That  Genl.  Scott  will  have  his 
letters  as  frequently  as  practicable,  I  know,  but  he 
may  not  care  about  reporting  until  he  has  executed 
something  to  make  a  report  about.  I  shall  reserve 
my  vacant  space  for  a  talk  with  you  to-night  and 
to-morrow  morning. 

7.30.  Major  Capers  came  in  soon  after  I  had  finished 
the  above;  he  is  as  big,  consequential  and  important 
as  man  can  well  be;  he  said  that  he  had  been  down 
to  'see  Genl.  Worth  who  had  sent  for  him.  The  Genl. 
was  on  the  Steamer  Edith  at  the  mouth  of  the  River. 
I  was  sorry  to  hear  that  the  Genl.  looks  badly;  he  is 
said  to  be  in  fine  spirits,  says  that  of  course  we  shall 
whip  the  Mexicans  at  Vera  Cruz,  does  n't  believe  any 
of  the  rumors  we  hear  about  Genl.  Taylor's  likelihood 
of  being  defeated  by  Santa  Anna. 

Dr.  Wright  received  a  letter  to-day  from  an  officer 
serving  under  Genl.  Taylor,  who  writes  that  Genl.  T. 
had  advanced  ten  leagues  from  Saltillo  on  the  road 


In  Mexico  65 

towards  San  Luis,  and  that  the  report  there  was  that 
Santa  Anna  had  withdrawn  his  forces  from  San  Luis 
and  intended  opposing  the  landing  of  our  Army  at 
Vera  Cruz.  The  next  thing  we  shall  probably  hear  of 
Santa  Anna,  will  be  an  attack  made  on  some  place  he 
may  hope  to  surprise. 

You  must  not  allow  yourself  to  be  worried  by  the 
thousand  reports  with  which  the  papers  will  now  be 
filled.  Every  paper  must  have  some  items  of  interest 
to  publish  about  the  Army  at  Vera  Cruz.  Show  any 
thing  you  may  see  to  your  Father,  and  he  will  tell 
you  how  much  credit  may  be  attached  to  it. 

We  shall  not  be  able  to  disembark  the  Army  much 
earlier  than  the  I5th  of  March,  so  that  you  can  not 
hear  any  thing  certain  from  its  operations  sooner 
than  about  the  last  of  March  or  1st  of  April.  I  must 
save  the  other  side  for  to-morrow.  Good-night. 

Monday  morning,  Feb.  29th,  9  A.M. 
The  wagon  has  just  come  for  our  baggage,  and 
I  must  bid  you  farewell.  Rumor  reports  that  an  at 
tack  was  recently  made  by  2000  Cavalry  on  one  of 
Genl.  Taylor's  posts,  and  that  the  Mexicans  lost  four 
hundred  men;  the  attack  was  said  to  have  been  made 
at  night. 

No.  i.    STEAMSHIP  "ALABAMA," 
OFF  ANTON  LIZARDS. 

March  5,  1847. 

Anchored  at  last,  I  resume  my  correspondence. 
The  date  of  my  last  letter  I  do  not  remember.  The 
little  vessel  with  my  Compy.  crossed  the  bar  at 
Tampico,  Sunday,  28th  ult.  As  the  Doctors,  in 
consequence  of  my  having  a  cold,  refused  to  let  me  go 
on  board  with  the  Compy.  I  was  perforce  compelled 


66  An  Artillery  Officer 

to  come  on  board  this  ship.  Genl.  Patterson  with  his 
Staff  were  fellow-passengers.  One  Regt.  of  Tenn. 
Foot,  and  Capt.  Walker's  Compy.  6th  U.  S.  Infy.  are 
also  on  board. 

We  got  on  board  Monday  the  1st  inst.,  crossed  the 
bar  the  next  morning,  and  getting  under  weigh  about 
midnight,  reached  the  Lobos  Islands  early  the  next 
day,  where  orders  were  received  to  proceed  South. 
Genl.  Scott  had  already  left  Lobos.  Yesterday  we  lay 
to  for  about  eight  hours  in  a  Norther  and  arrived  at  our 
anchorage  here  about  10  o'clock  this  morning.  Genl. 
Scott  came  in  about  two  hours  afterwards,  and  at  the 
suggestion  of  Col.  Campbell  commanding  the  Tenn. 
Regt.  he  was  greeted  with  three  hearty  cheers  as  he 
passed  us. 

We  are  about  thirteen  or  eighteen  miles  south  of 
Vera  Cruz.  There  are  at  this  time,  5.30  P.M.,  sixty- 
four  ships,  etc.,  at  anchor  in  sight;  the  vessel  with 
"G"  Co.  has  not  yet  arrived,  but  as  the  wind  is  fair, 
I  presume  she  and  nearly  all  the  others  that  are  due 
will  be  in  to-morrow.  Genl.  Worth  has  just  entered 
our  stateroom;  I  must  stop  to  shake  hands  with  him. 
Genl.  W.  looks  badly;  his  old  wound  has  given  him 
a  good  deal  of  pain  within  the  last  month. 

I  heard  yesterday  that  the  Genl.  thinks  that  he  will 
be  killed  in  this  attack.  I  cannot  think  that  a  man 
who  has  so  bravely  passed  through  so  many  dangers 
as  Genl.  W.  would  give  expression  to  such  feelings, 
even  if  he  entertained  them. 

Glorious  news  has  just  been  received  from  GenL 
Taylor's  Army.  The  news  comes  pretty  direct.  A 
British  Man-of-War  which  communicated  this  morn 
ing  with  Vera  Cruz,  on  coming  out  gave  the  last  Mexi 
can  papers  to  some  of  our  Naval  Officers — in  one  of 


GENERAL  TAYLOR 


In  Mexico  67 

these  papers  was  Genl.  Santa  Anna's  report  to  his 
Govt.  He  states  that  he  fought  Genl.  Taylor  on  the 
22nd  of  Feby.  at  Aguanueva,  not  far  from  Saltillo, 
and  again  the  fight  was  resumed  on  the  23rd.  That 
he,  Genl.  Santa  Anna,  having  lost  in  killed  and  wounded 
1000  men,  found  it  necessary  to  fall  back  to  "Incarna 
tion,"  whence,  after  having  taken  care  of  his  sick 
and  procured  provisions,  he  would  again  advance  to 
attack  Genl.  Taylor  whose  loss  he  estimates  as  2000. 

This  paper  also  mentions  that  there  had  been  fighting 
for  three  days  in  the  City  of  Mexico  in  consequence 
of  the  attempt  to  raise  money  by  forced  loans  from 
the  Clergy.  This  is  certainly  most  glorious  news, 
and  coming  as  it  does  from  the  Mexicans,  we  may 
fairly  infer  that  it  has  not  been  colored  too  strongly 
in  our  favor.  Genl.  Taylor  has  then  whipped  their 
great  man!  This  news  will  have  a  fine  effect  on  our 
troops;  all  are  even  more  anxious  than  ever  to  be  led 
to  the  attack. 

The  news  from  Vera  Cruz  is  that  there  are  about 
3000  Regulars,  and  a  little  over  2000  irregulars.  Our 
troops  will  be,  including  200  marines,  about  13,000. 
The  result  no  one  can  doubt.  Genl.  Scott  will  not 
make  his  attack  in  such  a  manner  as  unnecessarily  to 
sacrifice  life.  If  possible,  he  will  take  the  place  without 
the  loss  of  a  man. 

I  have  a  Volunteer  captain  who  wishes  to  accompany 
me.  He  is  a  gentleman  who  raised  a  fine  company 
in  Uniontown,  Pa.  which  the  Secy,  of  War  could 
not  receive,  as  the  Regt.  from  Pa.  had  been  filled  up 
before  the  Capt.  went  to  Washington.  Determined  to 
be  in  the  fight  himself,  as  soon  as  he  found  that  his 
Compy.  was  refused,  he  started  for  the  Seat  of  War, 
and  is  now  here.  I  shall  go  with  him  to  Genl.  Scott 


68  An  Artillery  Officer 

to-morrow  and  request  that  his  wishes  may  be  complied 
with. 

Capt.  Austine  has  declined  an  offer  he  received  to-day 
of  the  position  of  Lt.  Col.  or  Major,  in  the  ist  Regt. 
Pa.  troops,  both  these  positions  being  vacated  by  the 
sickness  of  those  officers.  He  says  that  he  prefers 
being  with  me  to  going  into  the  field  with  that  Regt. 
He  is  full  of  zeal  and  will  be  of  assistance  in  inspiring 
my  Germans  with  a  determination  to  go  ahead. 

Our  anchorage  is,  I  hear  this  evening,  eighteen 
miles  by  land  from  Vera  Cruz,  and  fifteen  miles  by  water. 
If  we  land  here,  we  shall  have  to  cross  a  small  river 
about  two  hundred  yards  wide;  on  the  way  up,  there 
is  a  mill  where  the  stream  can  easily  be  waded  which 
will  make  our  march  somewhat  longer.  The  Naval 
Officers  say  that  no  opposition  will  be  made  to  our 
landing.  As  I  wish  to  reserve  some  space  for  to 
morrow  after  my  interview  with  Genl.  Scott,  I  will 
now  close  by  wishing  you  good -night.  That  God  our 
Heavenly  Father  may  guard  and  protect  you  is  my 
earnest  prayer.  Good-night. 

Saturday,  March  6th. 

The  Regina  Hill  bearing  Col.  Belton  and  "G" 
Co.  has  not  yet  arrived.  I  do  hope  they  will  arrive 
to-day,  as  a  rumor  says  that  we  are  to  land  to-morrow, 
and  it  would  be  hard,  after  all  my  endeavors  to  get 
this  Compy.  into  active  service,  if  they  should  now 
miss  this  opportunity  for  distinction!  Genl.  Pat 
terson  told  me  last  night  that  if  the  Compy.  did 
not  arrive,  he  would  be  very  happy  to  have  me  with 
him.  This  would  not  suit  me. 

I  called  this  morning  at  Genl.  Hd.  Qrs.,  but  Genl. 
Scott  had  gone  off  on  a  reconnoitring  party.  All  his 


In  Mexico  69 

Milty.  family  went  with  him.  I  saw  my  old  friends 
Capt.  C.  F.  Smith  and  Capt.  Vinton.  I  heard  a  bad 
translation  of  Genl.  Santa  Anna's  report.  He  states 
Genl.  Taylor's  force  at  between  eight  and  nine  thou 
sand  men.  He  has  nearly  doubled  the  General's  force, 
which  could  not  have  exceeded  six  thousand.  The 
action  took  place  at  Buena  Vista,  a  strong  position 
about  six  miles  from  Saltillo.  He  says  that  he  thinks 
of  falling  back  the  following  morning  (24th)  as  he  has 
not  a  piece  of  bread  or  a  pound  of  rice  for  his  sick. 

We  have  received  no  mail  since  we  came  down.  We 
hope  that  we  may  have  one  to-day  as  the  last  Norther 
ought  to  have  brought  us  down  on  its  swift  wings, 
vessels  from  New  Orleans.  The  next  mail  ought  to 
bring  me  letters  from  you  as  late  as  the  loth  Feby. 
I  am  very  anxious  to  hear  that  you  are  well  enough 
to  be  walking  about,  and  that  you  have  made  some 
arrangement  which  will  remedy  some  of  the  many 
inconveniences  which  Elizabeth's  leaving  you  has 
given.  I  must  now  stop  writing,  as  I  see  that  Col. 
Ward  Burnett,  New  York  Regt.,  has  entered  the  cabin. 
I  shall  take  up  my  pen  again  as  soon  as  the  recon 
noitring  party  returns,  as  I  can  then  state  with  some 
certainty  when  the  landing  is  to  take  place. 

Monday,  8th. 

The  reconnoitring  party  went  so  close  to  the  Castle 
on  the  6th  as  to  draw  a  fire  from  the  Mexican  battery ; 
no  harm  was  done.  Yesterday  Col.  Belton  arrived 
with  "G"  Co.,  and  I  was  so  much  occupied  that  I 
could  not  write.  We  are  now  momentarily  expecting 
a  steamer  to  take  us  to  Sacrificios  where  the  landing 
of  the  troops  is  to  take  place. 

The  3rd  Arty,  with  a  company  of  Sappers  and  Miners 


70  An  Artillery  Officer 

constitute  the  Reserve  of  Genl.  Worth's  Brigade, 
which  leads.  It  is  not  anticipated  that  any  resistance 
will  be  made  to  our  landing.  I  have  confidence  in  the 
protection  of  our  Heavenly  Father  who  has  thus  far 
protected  me  with  the  most  fatherly  care.  This 
letter  may  not  be  sent  until  after  the  engagement, 
in  which  case  I  hope  to  accompany  it  with  another. 

Monday  night. 

As  no  movement  was  made  to-day,  in  consequence 
partly  of  an  expectation  that  a  " Norther"  would 
interfere  with  it,  I  have  the  pleasure  of  continuing 
my  nightly  conversation  with  you.  Genl.  Worth's 
Brigade  has  been  increased  to-day  by  the  addition 
of  about  one  hundred  and  eighty  Marines,  who  under 
Capt.  Edson  form  part  of  the  Brigade  Reserve  under 
Lt.  Col.  Belton,  which  as  ordered  will  consist  of  three 
Compys.  3rd  Arty.,  Capt.  Vinton's,  Capt.  Anderson's; 
Lt.  Col.  Childs  under  command  of  Capt.  Taylor,  Sappers 
and  Miners,  Capt.  Swift,  and  the  Marines,  amounting 
in  all  to  about  four  hundred  and  twenty  men.  As 
the  barometers  indicate  the  approach  of  a  "Norther," 
it  is  probable  that  no  move  will  be  made  to-morrow. 

Lt.  Judd  has  arrived  with  a  part  of  Lt.  Steptoe's 
battery.  He  reports  the  arrival  of  Genl.  Jesup  at 
Tampico  in  the  Steamer  New  Orleans.  We  are  daily, 
indeed  hourly,  expecting  her  arrival  here  with  a  mail. 
Capt.  F.  Taylor  is  here  with  a  battery  of  the  1st  Arty. 
Lt.  Col.  Duncan  is  to  arrive.  The  expected  Norther 
will  bring,  we  hope,  all  the  absent  vessels. 

All  who  are  here  are  impatient  to  make  the  attack, 
as  many  dread  being  detained  here  during  the  next 
month,  when  they  apprehend  greater  danger  from  the 
yellow  fever  than  from  the  balls  of  the  Mexicans. 


In  Mexico  7i 

The  yellow  fever  commences  in  Vera  Cruz  about  the 
1 5th  of  April,  so  we  have  five  weeks  for  operations 
before  a  necessity  will  exist  for  our  moving  into  the 
interior. 

The  mountains  are  occasionally  plainly  visible  from 
our  present  anchorage.  The  peak  of  Orizaba  towers 
proudly  17,500  and  some  odd  feet  above  us.  We  can 
move  to  delightful  and  healthy  positions  among  the 
mountains.  Such  will  undoubtedly  be  our  destina 
tion  as  soon  as  we  take  Vera  Cruz.  I  am  anxious 
to  get  through  this  affair  as  I  know  that  you  will 
imagine  thousands  of  dangers  which  never  existed,  and 
nothing  but  the  certainty  that  the  City  is  ours  will 
relieve  your  anxiety. 

This  will,  I  hope,  be  the  last  war  I  shall  take  an  active 
part  in.  I  think  after  the  declaration  of  peace,  I  may 
safely  promise  that  I  will  go  "  a-soldiering "  no  more. 
I  think  that  no  more  absurd  scheme  could  be  invented 
for  settling  national  difficulties  than  the  one  we  are 
now  engaged  in — killing  each  other  to  find  out  who 
is  in  the  right! 

I  enjoyed  this  evening  the  singing  of  our  Germans; 
they  sang  several  of  the  songs  we  used  to  listen  to  at 
Tampa  Bay.  God  grant  that  not  many  months  may 
elapse  before  we  shall  enjoy  together  our  pleasures 
again. 

I  have  not  received  a  line  from  either  of  my  own 
family.  Indeed,  I  have  not  written  to  any  one  but 
my  dear  Mother.  I  have  devoted  every  spare  hour 
of  my  evenings  to  writing  to  you  and  have  indeed  felt 
very  little  like  writing  to  any  one  else.  I  feel  that  you 
are  entitled  to  all  the  time  I  can  take  from  my  duties, 
and  indeed  I  do  not  feel  that  I  ought  to  retire  to  my 
bed  without  having  first  held  my  converse  with  you. 


72  An  Artillery  Officer 

As  I  shall  want  to  add  something  more  to-morrow,  I 
shall  bid  you  good-night. 


Tuesday,  9th,  sunrise.  The  signals  for  sailing  are  up. 
We  shall  commence  transferring  our  men  to  the  trans 
port  which  is  to  convey  us  up  immediately.  Good-bye. 
May  God  Almighty  bless  and  preserve  you. 

No.  i.    CAMP  NEAR  VERA  CRUZ. 

March  12,  1847. 

I  have  this  moment  (sunrise)  arrived  in  Camp,  and 
hear  that  a  mail  is  to  leave  this  morning.  I  fear  that 
I  am  too  late  for  it,  but  shall  scribble  a  few  lines  in 
the  hope  that  my  good  luck  may  not  fail  me  in  getting 
my  letter  off.  My  last  letter  informed  you  that  we 
were  on  the  eve  of  landing. 

The  landing  was  effected  without  any  attempt  to 
prevent  or  molest  us.  That  night  a  little  skirmishing 
occurred,  by  which  the  Mexicans  had,  a  French  Naval 
Officer  reports,  twenty  men  wounded, — one  or  two 
of  our  men  are  said  to  have  been  hit  by  spent  balls. 
The  result  of  the  next  day's  skirmishing  resulted  in 
killing  six  Mexicans. 

Yesterday,  Lt.  Col.  Dickison  of  the  S.  C.  Vol. 
was  wounded  in  the  breast,  Capt.  Alburtis,  2nd  Infy., 
killed,  and  a  private  of  the  Rifles  killed,  a  Lt.  of  the 
Rifles  and  seven  privates  are  said  to  have  been  killed 
— per  contra  seventeen  Mexicans  were  killed.  The 
City  is  now  completely  invested  (surrounded  by 
our  troops)  and  I  presume  that  some  of  our  mortars 
will  be  in  position  to-morrow,  when  they  will  begin 
to  feel  the  horrors  of  a  siege. 

Why  the  Mexicans  did  not  meet  us  on  the  beach 


In  Mexico  73 

when  they  might  have  annoyed  and  cut  us  up  most 
unmercifully,  is  most  unaccountable.  They  act  very 
foolishly,  throwing  shot  and  shells  at  small  bodies  of 
men  at  distances  so  great  as  to  make  the  chances 
of  their  hitting  us  almost  nothing. 

I  am  in  excellent  health,  and  in  good  spirits,  as 
Genl.  Scott  has  an  army  of  about  14,000  who  are  in 
good  tone  for  serving.  All  are  zealous  and  anxious 
to  close  the  siege.  'T  is  true  that  all  our  heavy  Ord 
nance  has  not  yet  arrived,  but  still  we  have  enough 
to  bring  them  to  terms  before  the  sickly  season  com 
mences. 

No.  2.     March  I3th,  1847. 

The  scrawl  sent,  or  rather  written  on  the  I  ith,  will  I 
presume  be  received  by  the  mail  which  takes  this.  My 
note  book  presents  nothing  worthy  of  being  recorded; 
I  shall  therefore  have  very  little  to  say  of  Army  matters. 
Our  tents  and  boxes  are  landing  to-day,  so  that  we 
shall  soon  be  able  to  make  ourselves  as  comfortable 
as  the  circumstances  of  a  siege  will  permit  of  our 
being.  Night  before  last  I  was,  as  I  think  my  last  note 
mentioned,  on  duty  with  about  one  hundred  and  forty 
men  to  assist  Capt.  Vinton  in  the  event  of  his  being 
attacked.  I  passed,  of  course,  a  sleepless  night,  but 
was  afforded  no  opportunity  of  distinguishing  myself. 

To  show  how  inaccurate  Camp  reports  are,  I  will 
here  correct  one  which  I  propagated  in  my  last 
letter,  and  which  had  come  direct  from  two  of  Genl. 
Worth's  staff.  'T  is  not  true  that  a  Lieut,  of  Rifles 
and  seven  privates  were  killed,  nor  is  it  true  that 
seventeen  Mexicans  were  killed. 

To-day  we  hear  that  the  large  thirteen-inch  mortar, 
with  the  firing  of  which  they  have  been  amusing  them- 


74  An  Artillery  Officer 

selves,  has  burst,  and  we  also  hear  that  eight  hundred 
men  passed  through  our  lines  last  night  and  entered 
the  City;  these  men  were  from  Jalapa.  I  give  but 
little  credit  to  both  of  these  rumors. 

I  will,  to  ease  your  mind  in  relation  to  the  Military 
prowess  and  skill  of  these  people,  say  more  of  our 
operations  than  I  had  intended.  Had  they  planted  a 
battery  on  the  beach  where  they  must  have  thought  we 
intended  landing,  they  might,  with  the  unimportant 
loss  of  their  cannon,  have  killed  and  drowned  a  thousand 
of  our  men. 

As  it  was,  the  landing  was  a  most  thrilling  and  excit 
ing  affair;  it  was  effected  in  about  seventy  large  surf 
boats  containing  from  fifty  to  eighty  men.  The  ships 
and  steamers  which  brought  us  up  from  Anton  Lizards, 
with  the  vessels  of  war,  American,  English,  French, 
and  Spanish,  formed  a  fine  background  to  the  picture ; 
the  surf  boats  were  drawn  up  in  line,  the  first  attached 
to  the  Steamer  Princeton,  the  others  successively  to 
each  other;  the  commands  were  given  to  wheel  to  the 
right  and  advance. 

I  suppose  that  every  man  on  board  these  boats 
expected  to  be  fired  upon  as  we  approached  the  shore; 
the  first  boat  landed,  and  such  a  shout  was  raised 
throughout  the  whole  line  as  never  was  heard  before 
on  these  shores.  Why  they  made  no  attempt  to 
oppose  our  landing,  no  one  can  tell.  And  since  we 
have  landed  they  have  kept  up  a  pretty  constant 
round  of  firing;  scarcely  a  quarter  of  an  hour  passes 
without  our  hearing  the  noise  of  the  firing  and  flight 
of  a  harmless  shot  or  shell,  nearly  all  of  them  falling 
far  short  of  our  lines.  At  night,  too,  we  frequently 
hear  their  escopettes  or  large  guns,  injuring  us  in  no 
other  way  than  by  rousing  us  from  our  slumbers  or  by 


In  Mexico  75 

causing  us  to  get  up  and  stand  by  our  Arms  for  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  or  so.  Thus  have  they,  in  not 
attacking  us  when  we  landed  (a  work  necessarily  always 
accomplished  with  great  confusion)  and  in  the  useless 
daily  waste  of  powder,  shewn  a  great  absence  of  Mili 
tary  skill. 

To-day  an  attempt  will  be  made  to  land  our  heavy 
Ordnance.  One  battery  will  probably  be  sent  to  Capt. 
Vinton  whose  position  is  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  from  the  town.  Yesterday  the  aqueduct  which 
supplies  the  City  with  water  was  tapped  by  the  Compy. 
of  Sappers  and  Miners;  this  may  distress  them  very 
much.  We  do  not  know,  however,  what  resources 
they  may  have  or  what  supply  they  may  have  in 
their  cisterns. 

Capt.  Vinton  being  on  detached  service,  places  me 
in  the  position  of  Acting  Major  of  this  battalion  as 
I  find,  on  comparing  my  date  with  that  of  his  appoint 
ment,  that  I  rank  him.  This  may  separate  me  from 
my  Compy.,  but  as  the  battalion  is  small  it  is  hardly 
worth  while  to  place  me  on  duty  as  field  officer. 

Our  sutlers  have  not  yet  arrived,  so  that  we  are  now 
living  on  the  commissary  stores,  or  have  to  pay  the 
prices  asked  by  the  sharpers  who  follow  us.  This 
morning  I  priced  a  lew  luxuries  as  follows :  Irish  potatoes 
$6.00  a  barrel,  sheep  $5.00  apiece,  and  pigs  $2.50. 
You  may  readily  suppose  that  we  cannot  indulge 
frequently  in  such  expensive  luxuries.  I  find  every 
body  here,  many  of  my  old  friends  whom  I  have  not 
seen  for  very  many  years. 

I  saw  Genl.  Scott  a  few  moments  since;  he  gave 
me  a  very  hearty  shake  of  the  hand,  but  as  it  is  mail  day, 
I  did  not  stop  to  see  him.  As  you  always  feel  an 
interest  in  the  "GV  I  am  glad  that  I  can  give  a 


76  An  Artillery  Officer 

favorable  report  of  them.  Our  old  friend  Derr  takes 
most  fatherly  and  affectionate  care  of  me.  He  fre 
quently  comes  to  me  with  a  nice  piece  of  pork  or  bacon 
which  he  has  put  aside  for  me,  and  every  morning  and 
evening  brings  me  a  cup  of  coffee  or  tea.  The  married 
men  are  all  well — indeed  there  is  only  one  man  in  the 
Compy.  who  is  on  the  sick  report. 

The  Steamer  McKimm  arrived  yesterday  without 
a  mail.  This  is  really  too  trying.  *T  is  not  often 
we  have  opportunities  of  hearing,  but  that  the  vessels 
which  arrive  do  not  bring  in  letters  is  too  bad.  I 
must  soon  receive  your  letters.  I  know  that  several 
are  on  the  way  for  me.  I  hear  our  men  criticising  our 
Navy,  as  they  say  that  a  ship  has  just  entered  the 
harbor  of  Vera  Cruz  having  evaded  the  blocking 
squadron. 

The  weather  to-day  is  very  pleasant,  and  from  the 
appearance  of  the  skies,  I  think  we  may  hope  for  a 
continuance  of  it.  As  soon  as  I  get  my  tent,  which 
will  be  to-day  I  think,  I  shall  resume,  as  far  as  my  camp 
duties  will  permit,  my  daily  talks  with  you.  That 
mode  of  writing  is  much  the  most  satisfactory  one  to 
me,  as  when  I  lie  down  at  night  I  feel  much  better 
satisfied  with  myself  than  when  I  have  not  written. 

Tell  Father  that  the  sight  of  our  Army  on  the  beach, 
the  morning  after  we  landed,  before  we  had  dispersed 
to  take  our  positions  around  the  City,  was  a  glorious 
one — about  ten  thousand  men  under  arms,  and  most 
of  them  in  motion.  We  have  now  about  fourteen  thou 
sand  men,  as  our  numbers  have  been  daily  increased. 
Some  of  our  troops  are  not  up  yet. 

Saturday,  March  I3th. 
I  feel  at  home,  almost,  with  my  pen  in  hand,  seated 


In  Mexico  77 

in  my  tent  commencing  one  of  my  regular  talks  with 
you.  My  company  baggage  was  received  this  evening, 
and  I  am  seated  for  the  first  time  in  my  own  tent. 

Captain  Austen  of  the  Pa.  Volunteers  who,  I  men 
tioned,  wanted  to  serve  with  me,  returned  to  camp  to 
day.  He  accompanied  us,  the  day  after  we  landed,  to  our 
position  immediately  in  front  of  our  present  encamp 
ment,  and  was  so  unwell  as  to  be  compelled  to  return 
to  the  steamer.  I  learn  from  him  that  he  is  a  regular 
correspondent  of  the  New  Orleans  Delta,  and  of  the 
Baltimore  Sun.  He  tells  me  that  in  his  last  letter 
to  the  Delta,  he  mentioned  that  I  was  well.  This 
information  was  most  kindly  meant  for  you,  but  he 
did  not  know  where  you  were,  or  he  would  have  had 
a  copy  sent  to  you.  I  am  sorry  that  he  mentioned  my 
name  at  all  as  the  custom  of  recording  everybody's 
deeds  has  become  so  common,  that  it  is  almost  more 
creditable  not  to  be  among  the  distinguished. 

Col.  Totten  has  been  reconnoitring  to-day,  and  has 
decided,  I  presume,  to  place  several  mortars  at  Cap 
tain  Vinton's  position  on  the  sea  beach.  I  would 
attempt  a  sketch  of  our  encampment,  but  for  two 
reasons;  firstly,  that  I  am  pretty  certain  the  news 
papers  will  present  you  with  an  authentic  map  of  the 
encampment  of  the  besieging  army  of  Vera  Cruz,  and 
secondly,  that  my  talent  in  that  line  is  so  well  known 
to  you,  that  I  am  convinced  you  will  readily  excuse 
me  for  not  making  the  attempt. 

I  have  just  returned  from  Tattoo;  we  are  very 
military  here:  all  the  officers  attend  roll-calls,  and  as  I 
expect  the  enemy  will  be  alarmed  again  to-night,  and 
commence  firing,  which  will  call  us  up,  I  shall  very 
soon  retire.  Unless  I  can  get  a  good  night's  rest,  I 
shall  be  worth  very  little,  and  we  have  advanced  so 


78  An  Artillery  Officer 

far,  that  we  may  be  called  to  our  work  at  any  time. 
Derr  has  just  brought  me  a  cup  of  coffee:  the  kind 
creature  knew  that  I  had  had  none  for  supper.  Good 
night,  good-night. 

Sunday  night,  March  I4th. 

The  investment  of  the  City  being  complete,  an 
advance  was  ordered  this  morning,  from  each  brigade. 
The  companies  were  ordered  to  drive  the  Mexicans 
and  their  pickets  into  the  City.  The  advanced  de 
tachments  are  this  evening  within  about  seven 
hundred  yards  of  the  City. 

Genl.  Scott  sent  an  answer  this  morning  to  the 
French  and  Spanish  Consuls  who  made  some  appli 
cation  to  him,  probably  in  relation  to  protection. 
The  Genl.'s  answer  is  said  to  have  been  equivalent  to 
this:  "As  far  as  posssible  you  shall  be  protected, 
but  when  the  batteries  open  on  the  town,  I  can  give 
you  no  assurance  that  you  or  your  property  may  not  be 
injured ;  you  had  better  leave  the  City ;  I  will  give  you 
a  safe  guard  to  enable  you  to  do  so."  There  has  been 
but  little  activity  in  the  firing  to-day. 

A  Norther  has  been  raging  all  day,  and  a  detach 
ment  of  two  thousand  two  hundred  men  has  been 
sent  towards  Anton  Lizards  to  look  after  a  ship, 
reported  to  be  ashore,  with  Lt.  Col.  Duncan's  battery 
on  board.  It  is  now  so  late,  my  tent  having  been 
full,  till  after  Tattoo,  of  Naval  officers  kept  on  shore 
by  this  storm,  that  I  will  bid  you  good-night.  To 
morrow  night,  I  hope  that  I  shall  be  master  of  my  own 
time.  Good-night. 

Monday,  I5th. 
As  it  is  blowing  very  violently  to-night,  I  hope  that 


In  Mexico  79 

no  one  will  interrupt  me.  Yesterday,  we  had  a  very 
respectable  blow,  which  lulled  after  midnight,  and  this 
morning,  though  there  was  a  cloudy  horizon,  I  enjoyed 
a  most  magnificent  view  of  the  peak  of  Orizaba.  I  will 
not  attempt  a  description  of  its  glorious  beauty; 
towering  among  the  clouds  with  its  rosy  peak  re 
flecting  the  rays  of  the  sun — which  was  invisible  to  us — 
rising  as  it  did,  behind  dense  clouds,  with  its  sides 
concealed  from  view  by  broken  masses  of  clouds 
resting  on  them,  it  formed  a  glorious  and  majestic 
object.  Would  that  we  could  have  enjoyed  the  sight 
of  it  together,  but  I  do  not  want  you  to  come  here  to 
partake  of  this  enjoyment.  We  will  be  well  contented 
to  participate  the  delight  of  seeing  more  unpretending 
scenery  in  our  own  dear  land.  I  hope  that  among  the 
thousands  congregated  here,  there  may  be  some  with 
a  sufficiency  of  our  friend  Weir's  talent  to  paint  the 
landscape  presented  to  our  view  this  morning.  We 
are  now  witnesses  to  the  truth  of  the  saying,  that 
when  the  Orizaba  is  plainly  seen,  you  may  be  sure 
that  the  Norther  is  close  at  hand.  The  wind  com 
menced  freshening  about  nine  this  morning,  and 
soon  became  a  gale  which  is  now  sweeping  the  sand  so 
rapidly  through  our  Camp  as  to  make  it  very  difficult 
to  find  our  way  from  one  tent  to  another.  Our  only 
chance  of  comparative  comfort  is  either  to  remain  at 
home  with  closed  tent,  or  to  move  with  handker 
chiefs  closely  drawn  over  the  head. 

A  vessel  got  on  the  breakers  in  attempting  to  run 
into  our  anchorage  at  Lizards;  she  will,  I  fear,  if  this 
Norther  does  not  soon  abate,  be  a  total  wreck.  Col. 
Harney  is  said  to  be  on  board  with  some  three  or 
four  companies  of  the  2nd  Dragoons.  Our  friends 
in  Vera  Cruz  have  been  throwing  a  few  shells  at  us 


80  An  Artillery  Officer 

to-day,  some  coming,  accidentally,  rather  nearer  than 
was  comfortable. 

Last  night,  a  mail  was  intercepted;  the  letters  say 
that  there  is  a  scanty  supply  of  provisions  which  will 
last  but  a  short  time.  Addresses  in  bad  English  were 
also  taken  at  the  same  time,  calling  on  the  Volunteers 
to  desert,  promising  them  rich  lands,  in  healthy  regions, 
where  the  best  tropical  fruits  grow,  etc.  This  morning 
a  courier  was  taken  who  was  the  bearer  of  a 
despatch  from  the  City  Authorities  to  the  Governor 
of  this  state,  complaining  that  no  aid  had  been  fur 
nished,  stating  their  condition,  the  scarcity  of  pro 
visions,  etc.  They  are,  in  fact,  so  completely  surrounded 
by  our  troops,  that  it  must  be  a  dangerous  thing 
for  even  individuals  to  enter  or  leave  the  City. 

Genl.  Scott  has  decided,  I  suspect,  not  to  commence 
firing  upon  the  City,  but  to  open  his  batteries  on  the 
Castle.  He  does  this,  knowing  that  if  the  Castle 
be  brought  to  terms,  the  City  falls  as  a  matter  of 
course,  and  that  we  will  then  be  masters  of  the  City, 
without  the  dreadful  effusion  of  the  blood  of  women 
and  children,  which  must  ensue  from  a  bombardment  of 
the  City.  This  is  just  like  him,  ever  instigated  by  the 
most  humane  and  generous  feelings.  I  have  been  in 
terrupted,  and  must  now  bid  you  good-night.  God 
preserve  you. 

Tuesday,  i6th. 

The  day  has  passed,  without  the  occurrence,  as  far 
as  I  have  heard,  of  any  things  of  note.  A  few  Volun 
teers,  who  strayed  some  miles  out  of  our  lines  report  that 
they  were  fired  on  by  some  hundred  Infy.  and  about  two 
hundred  Cavalry.  They  are  supposed  to  be  troops  from 
Alvarado  who  desire  to  enter  the  City.  Whether  they 


O   is 


<   J3 

i 

o  g 


In  Mexico  8l 

will  attempt  to  force  an  entrance,  and  on  finding  how 
closely  the  City  is  invested,  will  abandon  the  attempt, 
the  occurrences  of  the  night  will  prove. 

This  morning  among  some  prisoners  taken,  one 
dropped  a  club  near  one  of  our  guard  fires,  which  on 
examination  was  found  to  contain  a  letter  from  a  man 
in  Vera  Cruz,  to  a  brother  in  Puebla,  underrating  our 
numbers,  and  stating  that  if  any  assistance  was  to  be 
given,  it  should  be  done  at  once,  as  the  supply  of 
provisions  was  small.  This  club  was  very  cunningly 
devised,  for  a  mail  club.  A  hole  had  been  bored  in 
the  centre,  the  letter  introduced,  a  plug  of  the  same 
wood  driven  in,  and  then  the  stick  sawed  off  through 
the  plug.  The  fact  is,  I  presume,  that  the  poor  fami 
lies  are  already  feeling  the  horrors  of  a  siege,  and  are 
eagerly  looking  around  for  succor.  Would  that  the 
siege  was  over! 

I  fear  that  all  Genl.  Scott's  foresight  will  not  be 
able  to  guard  against,  and  prevent  the  perpetration 
of  most  shocking  acts  of  brutality  in  the  taking  of  the 
City.  I  shall  exert  my  powers  to  the  utmost  to  aid 
him  in  stopping  such  unchristian  and  brutal  acts. 

Major  G.  just  stopped  at  my  tent  and  asked  to 
whom  I  was  writing,  and  said  he  would  return  as  he 
wanted  to  send  a  message  to  Genl.  Clinch,  whom, 
he  says,  "You  know  I  adore  very  much.**  He  has 
now  gone  to  his  tent,  to  see  whether  his  command  is 
under  arms  to  go  out  to-night  or  not.  Capt.  Vinton 
designs  attempting  to  take  a  Cavalry  Vidette  which 
has  been  for  some  nights  in  his  neighborhood,  and 
three  companies  have  been  ordered  out  to  assist. 
This  is  the  duty  Maj.  G.  thinks  he  may  have  to  be 
occupied  in  to-night.  The  Maj.  has  not,  I  am  sorry 
to  say,  become  a  teetotaler.  He  has  been  drinking 

6 


82  An  Artillery  Officer 

very  deeply  before  coming  down.  I  shall  try  and  keep 
him  from  throwing  himself  away,  as  he  is  too  gallant 
and  noble-minded  to  be  permitted  to  destroy  himself. 

Fearing  that  we  may  be  kept  awake  by  alarms 
through  the  night,  I  will  now  retire,  praying  that  God 
may  give  you  that  peace  of  mind  and  happiness 
enjoyed  by  good  Christians.  Good-night. 

Wednesday,  iyth. 

The  mail,  thank  God,  brought  this  evening  your 
letter  of  the  eighteenth  Feb.  The  mail  preceding 
your  letter  had  brought  you  news  from  Tampico 
up  to  the  day  we  arrived  there.  Your  next  mail 
must  have  given  you  at  least  two  letters  from  me. 
I  know  now  how  miserable  you  must  have  been  made 
by  each  arrival  of  a  mail  bringing  nothing  from  me. 
You  have,  however,  since  that  time,  unless  the  Post 
Office  has  played  you  false,  received  some  letters. 
Every  succeeding  mail  must  have  given  you  one  and 
generally  two  letters.  You  must  not,  my  wife,  be 
uneasy  if  you  do  not  receive  letters  by  every  mail. 
For  although  I  shall  write  by  every  opportunity,  still 
you  must  recollect  that  the  vessels  carrying  them  may 
be  several  days  on  the  passage.  We  were,  be  it  re 
membered  (I  am  sure  you  always  will),  twenty-two 
days  from  Tampa  to  Tampico.  Again,  letters  may 
remain  some  time  in  New  Orleans,  and  a  mail  may  well 
be  missed  at  Savannah.  All  of  these  might  keep  you 
from  receiving  my  letters  for  two  or  three  mails. 
This  will  try  you  severely,  my  wife,  but  it  is  best 
to  look  at  the  worst  shade  of  the  picture. 

I  think  that  I  shall  close  this  letter  to-night,  for  the 
chance  of  a  vessel's  going  to-morrow,  as  I  know  that 
until  you  hear  of  Vera  Cruz  being  taken,  you  will  not 


In  Mexico  83 

have  one  moment's  peace.  But,  with  such  an  Army 
as  we  have  and  against  such  an  enemy,  the  chances  are 
that  after  one  hour's  firing  of  our  Mortars,  the  City 
will  raise  the  white  flag.  This  leads,  of  course,  at  once, 
to  a  capitulation.  Genl.  Scott  will  be  as  liberal  to 
wards  the  Vera  Cruzians  as  his  duty  to  his  own  Govt. 
will  permit. 

You  write  that  the  ten  Regt.  Bill  has  passed,  and 
ask  if  I  am  not  going  to  be  promoted.  My  wife,  you 
have  forgotten  the  provision  of  the  bill  requiring 
the  President  to  make  the  selections  of  Cols.,  Lt.  Cols., 
and  Majors  during  the  session  of  Congress.  Those 
of  us  who  are  here  could  not  possibly  through  our  own 
agency  have  exerted  the  least  influence  in  procuring 
advancement,  as  all  the  appointments  must  have  been 
made  before  our  letters  could  have  reached  Wash 
ington,  and  perhaps  before  they  might  have  reached 
New  Orleans. 

No  minor  appointment  would  I,  of  course,  agree  to 
take.  I  would  not  give  up  my  Captaincy  in  my  Regt. 
for  anything  below  a  Lt.  Colonelcy  or  a  Majority  in 
one  of  the  new  Regts.  From  the  decided  hostility 
evinced  by  President  Polk  to  the  Army,  and  his  eager 
desire  to  secure  political  influence  in  his  appointments, 
I  have  no  doubt  that  all  the  exertions  which  might 
have  been  made  by  my  friends  would  have  been  disre 
garded.  The  President  in  his  appointments  for  the 
Rifle  Regt.  when  gratitude  towards  gallant  men,  who 
by  their  valor  had  saved  his  administration,  demanded 
some  recognition,  spoke  as  plainly  to  the  Army  as 
actions  could  speak,  stating  that  we  need  expect 
nothing  from  him.  For  myself,  I  am  becoming  pretty 
thoroughly  disgusted  with  the  way  in  which  the  Army 
is  treated,  and  care  very  little  about  remaining  in  it 


84  An  Artillery  Officer 

after  the  close  of  this  war.  This  disgust  is  felt  by  very 
many,  some  of  whom  will  undoubtedly  resign  as  soon 
as  peace  is  declared.  God  grant  that  the  happy  tidings 
may  soon  be  heard  in  our  land. 

Everything  has  been  pretty  quiet  about  the  lines 
to-day,  A  few  shells  and  shots  have  been  thrown, 
but  no  one  has,  I  think,  been  injured.  The  storm  so 
far  abated  to-day  as  to  permit  us  to  resume  the  landing 
of  our  Mortars  and  guns;  ten  of  the  former  are  now  on 
the  beach.  To-morrow,  I  hope,  will  place  us  in 
possession  of  fifteen  or  twenty  more — and  then  a  few 
days  only  will  be  required  to  place  them  in  position. 
That  want  of  food  would  soon  compel  the  [City  and 
Castle  to  surrender  (?)]  is  a  very  general  camp  impres 
sion  ;  but  on  this  point,  as  well  as  on  all  others  relating 
to  the  siege,  Genl.  Scott's  information  is  much  more 
accurate  than  ours.  I  have  just  heard  that  another 
mail  is  here.  I  will  reserve  the  rest  of  this  space  for 
to-morrow,  as  I  may  hear  from  you  again. 

Tuesday,  i8th. 

I  have  just  received  orders  to  go  out  with  our  Bat 
talion  to  establish  a  Mortar  Battery  and  will  not  be 
able  to  write  any  more  to-night. 

March  19th. 

We  were  out  engaged  in  making  a  battery  for  Mortars 
all  night,  returning  into  Camp  at  half -past  four  o'clock. 
We  worked  without  being  discovered.  /  threw  the 
first  shovelful  of  earth  in  breaking  ground  for  the  attack 
on  Vera  Cruz!  I  think,  from  their  firing  to-day » 
that  they  have  discovered  our  work,  as  they  have  fired 
over  a  hundred  shot  and  shell  since  ten  o'clock. 

Lieut.  Hill  has  just  informed  me  that  the  Massa- 


In  Mexico  85 

chusetts  will  go  to  New  Orleans  to-morrow.  I  must, 
as  he  is  waiting  to  take  charge  of  this  letter  for  me, 
now  close.  May  God  Almighty  protect  and  guard  my 
wife.  Be  of  good  cheer,  I  shall  continue,  as  punc 
tually  as  practicable,  my  daily  letters,  and  hope  to 
give  you  good  news.  Love  to  Father  and  the  family* 


No.  3.     March 

Having  deposited  No.  2  in  the  Post  Office  this 
afternoon  I  now  commence  our  evening's  chat,  with 
No.  3,  though  to  say  the  truth  I  feel  so  stupid  that 
I  shall  prove  very  sorry  company.  As  it  will  be 
impolite  for  me  either  to  go  to  sleep,  or  to  evince  great 
stupidity,  it  will  be  well  for  me  at  once  to  excuse  myself 
by  stating  why  I  cannot  act  better. 

Last  afternoon,  at  the  request  of  Genl.  Worth,  I 
accompanied  a  party  of  officers  on  a  visit  to  the  out 
posts,  the  Genl.  stating  that  our  command  was  destined 
for  the  advance  pickets  to-morrow  night.  On  my 
return,  I  flattered  myself  with  the  hope  of  having  a 
comfortable  sleep,  as  the  enemy  had  been  very  quiet 
through  the  day,  having  thrown  very  few  shot  or 
shell. 

Our  Camp  (3rd  Arty.),  I  may  as  well  here  state,  is 
south  of  Vera  Cruz,  say  two  and  a  half  miles  off,  and 
having  a  high  sand  hill  sixty  or  eighty  feet  high  be 
tween  us  and  the  City,  forming  an  excellent  protection. 
We  are  just  at  its  base,  in  a  little  triangle  having 
smaller  sand  hills  on  the  two  other  sides.  My  hopes 
of  having  a  quiet  night  were,  however,  doomed  to  be 
sadly  wrecked. 

We  had  just  finished  our  frugal  evening  meal  when 
we  heard  the  well  known  clatter  of  the  sword  of  the 
Staff  Officer,  who  usually  brings  orders  to  the  Camp. 


86  An  Artillery  Officer 

Col.  Belton's  call  for  Mr.  Austine  soon  followed,  and 
we  were  informed  that  two  hundred  men  were  required 
from  our  Camp,  to  report  immediately  to  Col.  Tot  ten 
on  the  beach,  the  men  to  have  their  arms  slung,  with 
one  half  dozen  cartridges  in  their  pockets,  "G"  Co. 
was  soon  ready. 

We  marched  to  the  Engineer  depot  where  the  men 
were  furnished  with  picks,  spades,  and  axes,  each  man 
having  two  of  different  kinds  of  these  articles.  A 
young  Engineer  was  our  pilot  and  we  silently  took 
up  our  line  of  march  in  single  file. 

The  night  was  very  favorable  for  our  obtaining  our 
position  unperceived,  the  night  being  dark,  with  a  mist 
amounting  almost  to  a  gentle  drizzling  rain.  We  lost 
our  way  and  approached  to  within  five  or  six  hundred 
yards  from  the  City,  where  we  could  hear  the  voices 
of  the  sentinels  and  men  in  the  town  very  distinctly. 
Our  young  Engineer  took  some  two  or  three  men  and 
searched  for  the  position  we  were  to  occupy;  after  an 
hour's  absence  he  returned  and  led  us  on.  We  found 
Capt.  Lee  and  Lt.  Smith  expecting  us.  The  men  were 
at  once  ordered  into  the  area  enclosed  by  the  cords 
marking  the  outlines  of  the  battery  and  set  to  work 
cutting  away  the  brush  or  digging  and  throwing  the 
earth  into  an  embankment  designed  as  a  protection 
against  the  balls  of  the  Castle  and  town  for  those  who 
will  man  the  battery  to  be  placed  there.  /,  of  course, 
threw  out  the  first  spadeful. 

With  occasional  relieves  from  some  forty  Marines, 
the  men  of  "G"  Co.  worked  till  about  half -past  three, 
when  the  relieving  Engineers  came.  Our  men  then 
placed  their  working  tools  in  order  on  the  ground, 
and  resuming  their  Arms  we  quietly  retraced  our  way  to 
Camp,  where  we  arrived  a  little  before  five,  not  having 


In  Mexico  87 

been  honored  with  a  shot  or  shell  from  Castle,  City, 
or  even  from  a  stray  rancher o. 

We  met  the  men  who  were  to  relieve  us,  on  our  way 
down.  They  must  have  reached  their  work  about  the 
time  we  reached  Camp.  We  left  the  work  in  such  a 
state  as  to  protect  them  pretty  effectually  from  the  shot 
of  the  enemy.  They  have  not,  however,  succeeded  in 
accomplishing  their  tour  of  duty  (twelve  hours)  un- 
perceived  and  unsaluted,  as  the  enemy  have  been 
firing  at  their  embankment  ever  since  about  eleven 
this  morning  when  they  were  probably  first  noticed* 

Our  party  commenced  two  works  about  one  hundred 
yards  apart  and  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  town. 
Capt.  Edson  was  at  the  other  work.  To-night  I  pre 
sume  the  relieving  party  will  take  up  timber  to  make 
a  platform  for  the  mortar  beds  to  rest  upon,  and  to 
morrow  night  I  suppose  the  mortars  with  the  shells 
will  be  put  in  place. 

We  hear  this  evening  that  another  ship  has  arrived 
with  Ordnance;  I  hope  that  she  brings  about  twenty 
mortars,  as  we  can  use  that  number  to  great  advantage. 
We  hear  also  from  a  captured  Mexican  that  there  has 
been  a  pronunciamiento  in  Mexico  (the  City)  declaring 
that  those  who  made  the  war  might  fight  it.  Doubtful. 

Now  as  you  know  that  I  am  no  sleeper  in  the  day, 
am  I  not  excusable  for  being  stupid?  Tattoo  is  now 
beating  and  I  must  attend.  I  attend  with  my  officers 
all  roll-calls  now,  as  we  are  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy. 
Just  returned;  as  the  town  is  quiet,  I  hope  they  will 
let  me  have  a  quiet  night,  though  they  may  attempt 
annoying  our  working  parties;  if  so  it  will  annoy  me 
more  than  I  wish. 

March  2oth. 

How  vain  are  our  hopes,  some  of  them.     Instead 


88  An  Artillery  Officer 

of  being  permitted  to  pass  my  night  quietly  in  my 
tent  as  I  hoped,  I  was  on  picket  all  night  with  the 
Compy.  I  had  just  composed  myself  for  sleep  when 
I  heard  a  few  musketry  shot  from  some  of  the  outer 
pickets;  this  was  soon  followed  by  the  generate  when  I 
was  quickly  at  the  head  of  the  Compy.  After  the 
expiration  of  some  fifteen  minutes  a  staff  officer  gal 
loped  up  to  where  Col.  Belton  was  standing  and  directed 
him  by  order  of  Genl.  Worth  to  detach  a  Compy.  of 
his  command  for  outlying  picket  service.  It  being 
my  turn  for  service  I  was  soon  en  route  and  took  post 
for  the  night.  Not  an  enemy,  or  anything  a  sane  man 
could  have  taken  to  be  one,  was  seen.  During  the 
night  there  was  some  firing  by  the  camp  pickets,  but 
the  cowardly  fears  of  the  sentinels  caused  them. 

To-night  our  battalion  goes  out  as  the  advance 
pickets,  but,  as  the  Navy  is  going  to  amuse  the  town 
during  the  night  by  throwing  shot  and  shells,  I  pre 
sume  that  we  shall  have  very  little  to  excite  us.  The 
object  of  the  Navy's  firing  to-night  is  to  withdraw 
the  attention  of  the  Military  in  the  City  from  our 
batteries,  which  it  is  intended  to  arm  during  the 
night. 

Ten  more  mortars  have  arrived  so  that  we  shall 
now  have  an  armament  which  will  authorize  us  to 
open  our  batteries  with  every  prospect  of  success 
upon  the  town.  Yesterday  they  threw,  as  counted 
by  one  of  the  officers,  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
four  shot  and  shells,  and  not  a  single  man  was  hurt. 
One  man,  as  he  was  stooping  at  his  work,  lost  from 
a  shot  his  suspenders,  which  were  in  a  kind  of  knot 
at  his  back.  Two  Mexicans  were  killed  by  the  pick 
ets  of  the  2nd  Brigade,  in  an  attempt  to  pass  through 
our  lines  from  town. 


In  Mexico  89 

Our  Army  in  the  line  of  investment,  extends  about 
seven  miles.  You  may  imagine  how  difficult  it  is 
for  any  person  to  state  the  daily  events  which  take 
place  in  the  Army.  The  health  of  the  Compy.  with 
very  few  and  trifling  exceptions,  is  good.  All  the 
married  men  are  well,  except  Corp.  Devit  who  has 
had  a  slight  touch  of  ague;  he  is,  however,  nearly  fit  for 
duty. 

My  health,  with  the  exception  of  the  cold  which 
separated  me  from  the  Compy.  at  Tampico,  has  been 
better  than  it  was  when  I  was  at  Tampa  Bay.  In  my 
tent  I  have  more  comforts  than  almost  any  one  I  have 
seen  in  camp.  And  I  have  india-rubber  cloth  and  my 
old  cloak  which  protect  me  from  the  dews  of  night, 
and  keep  me  warm  enough  when  I  am  on  detailed 
service  from  our  Camp. 

When  we  go  out  on  duty,  we  leave  a  few  men  to 
guard  the  Camp,  and  leave  everything  standing.  Each 
officer  and  man  takes  with  him  in  his  haversack 
provisions  to  last  him  his  time  of  service.  Old  Derr  I 
sometimes  take,  but  not  always,  as  he  is  frequently 
more  serviceable  in  taking  care  of  my  things  than  in 
accompanying  us.  As  yet  we  have  only  been  enjoying 
the  comforts  of  the  soldiers'  rations,  but  as  the  Sutlers 
are  now  arriving,  we  shall  soon  be  supplied  with 
anything  we  want. 

As  I  spoiled  the  last  letter  by  crossing,  I  think  I 
shall  not  cross  this  one,  but  continue  it  by  taking  an 
other  sheet.  This  method  presents,  too,  this  advantage, 
that  as  soon  as  I  hear  that  a  vessel  is  about  to  sail, 
I  can  at  once  despatch  the  sheet  or  sheets  which  I  have 
finished.  Every  few  days  I  thus  have  a  letter  on 
hand  for  the  mail.  I  shall  now  make  some  preparation 
for  going  out  to-night.  Good-bye,  etc.,  etc. 


90  An  Artillery  Officer 

Sunday,  2ist. 

Tattoo.  You  see  by  my  closing  lines  that  I  did  not 
intend  crossing  this  letter,  but  as  I  hear  that  the 
Princeton  leaves  the  Squadron  to-morrow  for  the 
United  States,  I  must,  at  the  risk  of  giving  you  a  little 
guessing,  add  a  few  lines.  We  have  just  returned 
from  our  tour  of  advanced  picket  duty.  We  had  a 
quiet  night  as  the  enemy  made  no  attempt  to  harass  us. 
The  platforms  for  the  Mortar  batteries  were  laid  for 
six  mortars  to-day.  The  mortars  will  be  taken  to 
their  positions  to-night,  and  probably  to-morrow  we 
may  commence  firing.  I  do  not  think  the  City  can 
stand  many  days'  firing,  and  would  not  be  surprised  were 
my  next  letter  addressed  to  you  from  the  City  of  Vera 
Cruz.  Good-night.  May  God  guard  and  protect  you. 

Tuesday  morning,  23rd. 

The  Engineer  has  just  told  me  that  six  mortars 
were  placed  in  position  last  night. 

No.  i.    BESIEGING  CAMP,  VERA  CRUZ,  MEX. 

March  23rd. 

Again  has  my  plan  of  writing  a  little  to  you  each 
day  been  interfered  with.  Yesterday  morning  I 
went  into  the  trenches  and  took  charge  of  one  of  the 
Mortar  batteries.  We  remained  on  duty  twenty-four 
hours,  and  as  we  were  engaged  every  minute  of  that 
time  either  in  firing,  or  in  something  connected  with 
that  duty,  I  had  neither  opportunity  nor  time  for 
writing.  The  operations  are  now  rapidly  advancing; 
a  new  battery  of  heavy  guns  under  Naval  Officers 
was  opened  this  morning. 

'This  letter  "No.  i"  of  March  236  appears  to  be  No.  4  of  the 
series  written  from  the  Camp  near  Vera  Cruz. 


In  Mexico  91 

To-morrow  morning  a  heavy  battery  of  twenty- 
four  pounders  and  of  eight-inch  howitzers  (six  pieces 
in  all)  will  be  opened.  In  addition  to  what  we  are 
using,  eighteen  Mortars  arrived  yesterday.  These,  when 
in  position,  will  give  us  twenty -eight  Mortars  which, 
with  the  batteries  of  heavy  guns  above  alluded  to, 
must  soon  compel  the  City  to  surrender. 

In  my  last  letter  I  think  that  I  mentioned  that 
Genl.  Scott  had  summoned  the  City  to  surrender,  and 
that  a  civil  negative  was  returned.  Our  Mortars 
commenced  firing  the  moment  that  answer  was  received, 
and  have  continued  the  fire  night  and  day.  We  have 
no  means  of  ascertaining  the  amount  of  injury  in 
flicted  on  the  City,  but  I  fear  that  the  destruction  of 
life  must  be  very  great. 

It  really  goes  to  my  heart  to  be  compelled  to  do 
my  duty  when  I  know  that  every  shot  either  injures 
or  seriously  distresses  the  poor  inoffensive  women  and 
children,  who  have  neither  part  nor  lot  in  the  War. 
On  our  side  the  loss  in  numbers  is  trifling. 

I  regret  that  I  have  to  announce  the  death  of  an 
Officer  of  the  3rd  whom  you  saw  at  Charleston. 
Capt.  Vinton  was  killed  by  an  eight-inch  howitzer, 
which  appeared  to  have  struck  him  on  the  side  of  his 
head,  and  to  have  rolled  along  down  his  face  and 
breast.  So  near  was  the  force  of  the  shell  spent,  that 
the  skin  on  his  side  face  was  not  broken. 

I  make  my  men  protect  themselves  carefully  in  the 
battery  and  have  had  not  an  injury  of  any  seriousness 
among  them.  Sergt.  Foster  will  be  excused  from  duty 
for  a  few  days  in  consequence  of  a  slight  cut  made  by 
the  fragments  of  a  shell.  In  my  own  case,  I  look  with 
confidence  to  the  protecting  care  of  our  Heavenly 
Father  who  has  shielded  us  both  in  many  dangers. 


92  An  Artillery  Officer 

I  hope  that  my  next  letter  will  inform  you  that  Vera 
Cruz  with  its  celebrated  Castle  is  in  our  possession. 
The  moment  we  are  Masters  here,  I  presume  that  we 
shall  be  marched  into  the  interior  to  some  healthy 
position.  Genl.  Scott  suggested  that,  the  day  of  the 
summons.  I  was  dining  with  him  on  that  day;  the 
summons  was  sent  by  Capt.  Johnston,  Topographical 
Engineers. 

Great  enthusiasm  prevails  throughout  the  Army,  and 
all  cheerfully  perform  the  duties  required  of  them. 
The  Companies  are  sometimes  on  duty  three  days 
in  succession,  as  was  the  case  with  "G"  Co.  last  week, 
but  there  was  no  grumbling.  And,  although  they  were 
on  duty  all  day  yesterday  and  last  night,  there  was  no 
exhibition  of  dissatisfaction  when  I  mentioned  that 
they  would  be  on  the  same  duty  to-morrow.  An 
Army  with  such  feelings  will  never  flinch  from  the 
performance  of  any  duty. 

I  shall  leave  the  remainder  of  this  sheet  for  this 
evening's  news,  as  I  hope  to  have  a  half  hour  to  myself, 
in  which  I  shall  resume,  for  this  evening  at  least,  my 
delightful  night's  chat  with  you. 

Evening. 

Nothing  of  interest  to  communicate  to-night.  I 
have  just  returned  from  a  visit  to  Col.  Totten,  the 
Chief  Engineer,  to  see  his  map  of  the  City.  Lt. 
Scammon  has  kindly  furnished  me  with  a  copy  in 
dicating  the  points  of  most  interest  to  us  in  our  opera 
tions.  I  sincerely  hope  that  a  few  days  firing  will  show 
them  the  inutility  of  longer  delaying  the  surrender,  and 
that  the  taking  of  this,  connected  with  Genl.  Taylor's 
glorious  whipping  of  Santa  Anna,  will  have  a  favorable 
effect  in  tending  to  an  early  termination  of  this  un- 


f! 

L.  •£ 
o  ^ 


In  Mexico  93 

fortunate  War.  I  think  that  killing  people  is  a  very 
poor  way  of  settling  National  grievances. 

I  hope  that  we  shall  stay  long  enough  in  Vera  Cruz 
for  me  to  procure  you  a  few  articles  of  Spanish  brass, 
etc.,  which  I  will  send  by  some  vessel  returning  to  the 
United  States.  Genl.  Scott  told  me  to-day  that  this 
letter  must  be  sent  to  his  quarters  early  to-morrow ;  I 
will  therefore  not  run  the  risk  of  keeping  it  open  till  the 
morning,  as  I  might  not  have  time  to  close  and  direct  it, 
before  leaving  camp.  I  shall  therefore  be  compelled 
to  make  a  short  letter  of  it,  and  give  it  to  Yawn  to-night ; 
he  will  be  left  in  camp  to-morrow,  with  instructions 
for  him  to  take  it  to  Genl.  Scott's  Hd.  Qrs.  soon  after 
breakfast. 

You  must  not  worry  yourself  by  the  idea  that  this 
constant  work  is  wearing  me  down;  my  health  is  ex 
cellent;  the  only  thing  I  have  to  complain  of  is  that 
having  lost  the  plug  from  one  of  my  teeth  it  annoys 
me  by  feeling  sore.  Thus  you  see  that  I  have 
a  personal  interest  in  inducing  the  Vera  Cruzians  to 
let  us  enter  their  inhospitable  gates.  I  shall  expect 
to  be  blessed  with  a  series  of  letters  from  you  on  re 
turning  from  this  tour  of  duty.  Give  my  best  love 
to  Father  and  all  the  family. 

No.  5.    BESIEGING  CAMP  NEAR  VERA  CRUZ. 

March  27,  1847. 

"Te  Deum  Laudamus."  Commissioners  were  asked 
for  by  the  Mexicans  yesterday,  and  from  the  suspen 
sion  of  the  firing  this  morning,  the  inference  may  fairly 
be  drawn  that  terms  are  now  being  discussed  for  the 
surrender  of  Vera  Cruz.  But  as  this  is  a  most  im 
portant  event  in  our  Army  affairs,  and  as  yesterday 
was  an  important  and  interesting  date  in  our  own,  it 


94  An  Artillery  Officer 

may  be  best  for  me  to  give  as  distinctly  as  I  can  trace 
them,  the  incidents  connected  with  my  last  day's 
tour  of  duty  in  the  batteries. 

The  morning  of  the  25th,  leaving  camp  at  four  A.M., 
we  reached  the  batteries  in  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour ; 
in  a  few  moments  we  opened  our  fires  on  the  devoted 
City.  My  position  was  in  Battery  No.  I  where  I  had 
been  on  the  23rd.  Finding  that  there  was  a  pretty 
good  supply  of  ammunition,  I  soon  accelerated  the 
rapidity  of  my  fires,  till  we  threw  a  shell  from  the 
battery  every  minute,  giving  them  twenty  shells  an 
hour  from  each  of  my  three  pieces.  The  Mexican 
batteries  for  a  short  time  paid  particular  attention 
to  us,  but  finding  that  they  were  also  under  a  heavy 
fire  from  the  other  batteries  of  our  line,  they  were 
compelled  to  make  a  more  equitable  distribution  of 
their  favors  and  we  were  soon  left  to  the  enjoyment 
of  only  our  share  of  their  shells. 

Sometime  in  the  afternoon,  perhaps  between  four 
and  five,  I  observed  a  white  flag  approaching  the 
Mexican  battery  nearest  to  our  lines.  I  instantly 
suspended  the  fire  of  my  battery,  and  sent  word  to  the 
commanders  of  the  other  batteries  to  do  the  same. 
The  flag  approached,  a  shot  was  fired  over  the  heads 
of  the  party  bearing  it  (an  officer,  interpreter,  and 
sergeant)  and  a  white  flag  rapidly  run  up  and  down  at 
the  battery;  the  flag  again  approached,  another  shot 
was  thrown  over  the  party,  which  halted  for  a  minute 
or  two,  and  again  approached;  another  shot  brought 
the  party  to  a  full  halt,  when  in  a  few  minutes  a  party 
of  three  Mexicans  was  seen  approaching  our  flag. 
A  polite  salutation  informed  us  that  the  conference  had 
commenced.  It  lasted  but  for  a  few  moments,  when 
the  parties  separated  and  returned. 


In  Mexico  95 

Our  flag,  it  appears,  was  an  answer  from  Genl.  Scott 
to  an  application  received  the  day  before  from  the  Con 
suls  requesting  that  they  might  be  permitted  with  their 
families  to  leave  the  City,  and  that  this  permission 
might  be  extended  to  the  women  and  children.  Genl. 
Scott's  answer  is  said  to  have  been  a  negative. 

The  excitement  at  the  battery  when  the  Mexicans 
fired  the  second  and  third  shot  over  our  flag  was  in 
tense.  They  were  anxious  for  me  to  open  my  fires  upon 
that  battery,  but  knowing  that  the  language  of  the 
shot  was  simply,  "Don't  advance,"  I  declined  doing  so. 
Col.  Belton  came  up  a  short  time  afterwards,  when  I 
reported  to  him  my  reasons  for  discontinuing  the  fire ; 
this  was  approved  by  him,  and  also  by  Col.  Bankhead 
our  "Chief  of  Artillery." 

About  nightfall  I  was  ordered  not  to  fire  until  the 
Mexican  batteries  opened  their  fires,  and  then  to  return 
it  vigorously.  This  order  was,  however,  limited  to 
the  time  of  the  completion  of  some  work  on  which 
the  Engineers  were  employed.  Finding  at  twenty 
minutes  past  two  on  the  morning  of  the  26th  that 
everything  was  ready,  I  gave  the  signal  by  firing  one 
of  the  mortars  at  the  Castle  of  San  Juan  d'Ulua.  The 
thundering  boom  of  this  piece  was  soon  answered 
by  our  whole  line;  in  about  twenty  minutes  I  heard 
the  notes  of  a  bugle  in  the  City;  it  discontinued  and 
was  again  repeated.  I  told  Col.  Belton  that  it  was  a 
signal  I  was  not  familiar  with,  and  that  I  supposed  it 
might  be  a  "  parley.' '  On  hearing  the  same  notes  a  third 
time  I  was  authorized  to  cease  firing.  This  was  done 
in  the  expectation  of  the  flag  of  truce  being  sent  to  one 
of  our  batteries.  A  picket  was  advanced  to  receive 
him,  but  as  no  one  approached,  after  a  silence  of 
about  half  an  hour,  we  resumed  and  continued  our 


96  An  Artillery  Officer 

firing  till  we  were  relieved  at  five  o'clock  yesterday 
morning. 

On  our  way  home  we  were  overtaken  by  the  severest 
Norther  I  have  experienced;  on  coming  into  camp, 
blinded  with  dust,  we  found  many  of  the  tents  down. 
Mine  still  stands,  a  wreck,  the  fly  torn  to  pieces  and 
the  tent  torn  nearly  through  along  the  ridge  pole. 

Yesterday  morning  very  early,  a  Mexican  came  to 
Genl.  Scott's  tent  with  a  note  from  the  officer  second 
in  command  (stating  that  Genl.  Morales  was  sick) 
asking  the  appointment  of  Commissioners  to  make 
arrangements  for  the  surrender  of  the  City.  Genl. 
Scott  replied  that  he  had  already  named  Commis 
sioners  (Genl.  Worth,  Genl.  Pillow,  and  Col.  Totten). 
To  this  Genl.  Morales  replied  by  stating  that  he  had 
appointed  Commissioners  to  meet  ours  to  enter  into 
arrangements  for  the  surrender  of  the  City  and  Fort. 

The  Commissioners  met  and  disagreed ;  it  is  said  that 
the  instructions  given  to  the  Mexican  Commissioners 
authorized  them  to  assent  to  the  surrender,  the  troops 
to  march  out  with  colors  flying,  taking  their  Arms,  etc. 
This  was  of  course,  declined  by  ours,  and  they  sepa 
rated  with  the  understanding  that  if  the  white  flag 
was  not  raised  at  six  o'clock  this  morning,  our  firing 
would  be  resumed. 

No  firing  has  yet  taken  place,  the  Commissioners  are 
now  in  the  City,  and  the  white  flag  is  occasionally 
passing  and  repassing,  coming,  I  presume,  to  Genl. 
Scott  for  specific  instructions  on  the  points  raised 
during  the  discussion  of  the  terms. 

I  omitted  mentioning  in  the  proper  place  that  the 
Mexican  batteries  did  return  our  fires  yesterday 
morning;  thus  has  the  3rd  the  honor  of  being  on 
duty  when  the  parley  was  sounded,  and  (if  this  dis- 


In  Mexico  97 

cussion  leads  to  a  surrender)  when  the  last  gun  was 
fired  from  their  batteries. 

I  commenced  this  letter,  intending  to  send  it  by  the 
Princeton,  but  as  I  learn  that  a  mail  is  being  made 
up  for  a  ship  to  New  Orleans,  and  as  the  Princeton 
may  delay  till  the  termination  of  the  discussion  which 
may  be  spun  out  for  a  day  or  two,  I  think  I  shall  send 
it  to  New  Orleans. 

Genl.  Scott  deserves,  and  I  hope  will  receive,  all  credit 
with  his  countrymen  for  the  almost  bloodless  triumph 
he  will  attain  by  the  surrender.  God  grant  that  this 
may  lead  to  an  arrangement  by  which  this  unfortunate 
war  will  be  closed.  The  Navy  have  suffered  very 
severely  at  their  battery;  during  their  first  day's  fire, 
they  lost  four  sailors,  and  on  the  second  day,  Mid 
shipman  Shubrick  and  one  sailor  were  killed  and  two 
were  wounded. 

In  a  skirmish  on  the  25th  we  lost  a  few  men — the 
numbers  I  do  not  know.  But  all  our  loss  is  very  little 
compared  with  those  of  the  other  battles  which  have 
taken  place  during  the  war,  much  less  than  any  one 
could  reasonably  have  expected.  The  Mexicans  have 
fired  with  great  accuracy,  but  our  men  have  been  well 
protected,  firstly,  by  the  position  of  our  camp,  and 
secondly,  by  the  parapets,  etc.,  formed  for  the  protection 
of  our  batteries. 

We  have  peculiar  reasons  for  remembering  the  26th; 
let  us  then  unite  with  all  our  hearts  in  thanks  to  our 
Heavenly  Father  for  so  glorious  an  addition  to  our 
reasons  for  thankful  rejoicings  at  the  return  of  that  day. 
I  have  been  thus  far  shielded  from  danger  by  His  hand, 
and  pray  that  He  may  soon  return  me  to  my  darling 
family,  to  leave  them  no  more. 

A  quarter  past  one  P.M.     The  Commissioners  have 


98  An  Artillery  Officer 

not  yet  returned,  and  as  I  am  fearful  that  I  may  miss  the 
mail,  I  think  that  I  had  better  close  my  letter  and 
mail  it  at  once.  A  mail  may  go  without  my  being 
informed  of  it.  The  rumor  now  is  that  Genl.  Scott 
has,  in  consideration  of  the  value  of  the  acquisition 
of  the  Castle  San  Juan,  etc.,  consented  to  permit  the 
soldiers  to  go  into  the  interior  as  prisoners  of  War. 


No.  6.    CAMP  WASHINGTON,  NEAR  VERA  CRUZ,  MEX. 

March  27 th. 

No.  5  has  been  sent  to  the  Post  Office  to  take  its  chance 
for  a  mail  to  New  Orleans ;  this  will,  I  think,  go  by  the 
Princeton  which  will  bear  Genl.  Scott's  despatches. 

I  have  this  moment  returned  from  Genl.  Scott's  Hd. 
Qrs.  where  I  learned  that  the  position  of  the  negotiation 
is  this.  The  Mexican  proposition  was  that  the  Officers 
and  men  were  to  march  out  with  arms  and  equipments, 
with  colors  flying,  to  go  into  the  interior  to  some 
designated  point,  the  citizen  soldiery  not  to  be  mo 
lested  for  the  part  they  had  taken  in  the  War,  the  citizens 
to  be  protected  in  their  personal  property,  their  religion 
not  to  be  interfered  with,  that  in  the  event  of  hostilities 
being  resumed,  the  women  and  children  to  be  permitted 
to  leave  the  City,  etc. 

Genl.  Scott  declined  their  first  proposition  and  de 
mands  that  the  officers  and  men  should  be  surrendered  as 
prisoners  of  War,  the  officers  to  be  paroled,  and  finally 
consented,  that  the  men  instead  of  being  sent  to  the 
United  States,  might  be  sent  into  the  interior,  on  a 
pledge  from  their  officers  that  they  should  not  serve 
during  the  War;  of  course  he  assented  to  the  request 
about  private  property  and  not  interfering  with 
the  religion  of  the  people;  to  the  request  about  the 


In  Mexico  99 

women  and  children  leaving  the  City,  if  hostilities  were 
resumed,  he  gave  a  prompt  denial. 

The  details  of  the  affair  will  be  drawn  up  by  the 
Commissioners  under  the  instructions  of  the  Genl., 
which  are  very  particular,  and  you  will  soon  see  them 
in  all  the  papers,  as  the  Editors  of  the  Picayune  are 
here  collecting  everything  that  takes  place. 

As  I  mentioned  in  my  letter  No.  5,  General  Morales 
resigned,  turning  over  the  command  to  Genl.  Jose 
Juan  de  Landero.  Genl.  Landero  now  states  that 
Genl.  Morales  did  not  place  him  in  command  of  the 
Castle  of  "Ulua"  and  that  its  commander  is  not 
responsible  to  him.  The  Commissioners  express  an 
apprehension  that  the  Castle  may  not  consent  to  the 
terms  agreed  upon,  and  one  of  them  had,  at  the  last 
advices,  gone  to  the  Castle  to  ascertain  whether  he  could 
not  bring  the  garrison  to  consent  to  the  terms  proposed. 

The  difficulty  appears  to  be  this,  that,  though  we 
have  inflicted  most  serious  destruction  on  the  City, 
the  soldiery  has,  as  yet,  suffered  very  little,  and  they 
fear  that  it  may  be  thought  that  they  ought  to  have 
suffered  more  before  surrendering.  We  are  now  well 
prepared  for  commencing  operations  against  the  Castle, 
as,  the  City  being  ours,  we  can  turn  all  of  our  guns 
against  it.  One  of  Col.  Bomforcf s  Columbiads  has 
been  received,  and  it  will  be  found  a  very  formidable 
addition  to  our  Armament. 

I  think  that  I  am  not  too  sanguine  when  I  assert 
it  as  my  opinion  that  this  celebrated  Castle  will  fall 
in  about  one  week's  firing.  Genl.  Scott  will  probably 
keep  the  soldiers  here  until  our  forces  make  one  or 
two  marches  into  the  interior.  But  I  will  make  no 
further  speculations  as  I  may  to-morrow  be  able  to 
give  you  an  epitome  of  the  treaty. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

Luckily  I  have  not  been  sent  to  the  batteries  to-day 
and  am  not  under  orders  for  to-morrow,  so  that  I  shall 
get  a  good  night's  rest,  make  up  for  the  loss  of  sleep 
this  siege  has  caused  me.  Good-night,  may  our 
Heavenly  Father  watch  over  and  protect  you. 

Sunday  morning,  28th. 

I  learn  this  morning  that  the  Articles  of  Capitulation 
have  been  signed  and  approved,  and  that  the  Princeton 
will  leave  early  this  morning  with  Genl.  Scott's  de 
spatches.  This  event  is  a  glorious  one  for  our  arms, 
and  has  been  effected  principally  by  Arty. ;  indeed  not 
a  musket  has  been  fired  against  the  City ;  some  skir 
mishes  have  taken  place  with  a  few  lancers  and  other 
troops  hanging  around  the  outskirts  of  our  Camp.  I 
shall  now  take  my  letter  to  Genl.  Scott's  Camp  where  I 
may  learn  some  facts  which  may  be  of  interest. 

Genl.  Scott  is  so  much  engaged  that  I  have  not 
approached  him.  The  Articles  have  been  signed,  the 
troops  are  to  evacuate  the  City  and  Castle  to-morrow 
morning  at  ten  o'clock,  to  lay  down  their  arms,  the  Of 
ficers  retaining  their  side  arms,  to  be  paroled,  pledging 
themselves  that  neither  they  nor  their  men  shall  serve 
again  during  the  War,  unless  exchanged,  the  Officers 
to  retain  their  private  baggage,  the  Castle,  Town,  and 
Forts  surrendered  with  all  their  armament  and  public 
stores,  the  private  property  of  the  citizens  to  be  re 
spected,  etc. 

We  are  this  morning  very  much  disgusted  with  Com 
modore  Perry,  who,  after  the  terms  of  the  Capitulation 
had  been  agreed  upon  and  signed,  wrote  a  presumptuous 
note  to  Genl.  Scott,  demanding  the  right  to  affix  his 
name  to  that  paper.  Genl.  Scott  has  deemed  proper  to 
admit  him  to  sign  it  as  a  matter  of  courtesy.  The  fact 


In  Mexico  I01 

of  his  signature  being  affixed  will  be  taken  as  proof 
positive  that  he  was  of  material  assistance  in  reducing 
the  City,  when  the  fact  is,  that  since  he  came,  but 
little  has  been  done.  The  Naval  battery  was  estab 
lished  by  the  orders  of  Commodore  Conner,  and  Com 
modore  Perry's  first  official  communication  to  Genl. 
Scott  declared  that  he  could  not  supply  their  batteries 
with  powder. 

Commodore  Conner  and  all  under  him  exerted  them 
selves  to  the  uttermost  to  assist,  but  they  could,  from 
the  circumstances  of  the  case,  etc.,  do  but  little  more 
than  give  us  the  all-important  aid  of  their  sailors.  For 
all  this,  Genl.  Scott  will  in  his  Order  give  them  full 
credit.  I  would  have  a  greater  right  to  demand  my 
name  to  be  affixed  because  I  commanded  a  battery 
during  the  siege,  than  Commodore  Perry  for  what  he 
has  done  since  his  arrival ! 

No.  i.    JUAN  D'ULUA,  MEX. 

Tuesday,  March  30,  1847. 

My  cousin,  Lt.  Anderson  brought  me  this  morning 
your  letters  of  the  26th  Feby.  and  5th  of  March. 
Thanks  be  to  God  for  his  care  and  protection  of  my 
treasure.  This  information  that  you  were  well,  gave 
me  much  greater  true  pleasure  than  any  I  have  ex 
perienced  for  a  long  time.  I  find  that  I  must  again 
give  you  a  hurried  letter,  as  I  learn  that  a  vessel  is 
to  sail  to-morrow  morning  for  the  United  States.  I 
shall  therefore  give  you  a  few  of  the  details  of  the 
closing  events  of  the  last  two  days;  which  will  explain 
why  I  have  changed  the  No.  and  heading  of  my  letter, 
or,  why  I  am  here. 

The  28th  inst.  we  received  orders  directing  Genl. 
Worth,  with  his  Brigade,  to  receive  the  arms  of  the 


102          An  Artillery  Officer 

Mexicans  at  ten  A.M.  That  night,  for  the  last  time, 
I  hope,  in  this  war,  I  was  at  one  of  the  batteries. 
The  next  morning  about  sunrise,  Lt.  Austine  came  to 
my  command,  and  directed  me  to  return  to  Camp,  as 
my  Compy.  was  one  of  those  designated  to  garrison 
the  Castle  of  San  Juan  d'Ulua.  I  immediately  re 
paired  to  Camp,  and  at  half -past  eight  marched  with 
the  rest  of  the  Brigade  to  a  large  plain,  taking  our 
position,  the  right  of  our  line  about  one  half  a  mile 
from  the  main  gates  of  the  City,  near  the  road  to  the 
City  of  Mexico. 

The  Brigade  of  Genl.  Patterson's  Division  was 
facing  us  and  say  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  We  had  been 
on  the  plain  but  a  short  time  when  we  heard  the 
Mexican  bugle,  and  soon  afterwards  a  salute  to  their 
flag,  which  was  lowered  at  Castle  and  Forts.  Next 
was  heard  the  music  of  approaching  bands,  and  was 
seen  the  head  of  their  columns. 

The  interesting  period  was  now  near  when  I  was  to 
see  a  large  Army  lay  down  its  arms  at  the  feet  of  its 
conquerors.  After  much  passing  on  the  part  of  our 
gallant  Genl.  and  his  Aids,  and  infinite  confusion  on  the 
part  of  our  Col.,  we  were  put  in  march,  with  several 
other  companies  (destined  to  garrison  the  surrendered 
Castle  and  Forts)  towards  the  City  gate — meeting 
and  passing  close  by  the  advancing  prisoners  of 
war. 

I  will  not  attempt  to  describe  their  troops ;  they  wore 
dresses  of  various  colors,  blue,  red,  and  white  predom 
inating;  none  of  the  companies  looked  to  me  like  well 
drilled  troops;  they  were,  however,  a  conquered  army, 
and,  of  course,  could  not  have  felt  or  exhibited  much  of 
the  haughty  pride  of  the  soldier.  Again  I  may  as 
well  confess  that  I  did  not  look  at  them  critically  or 


In  Mexico  103 

closely,  as  I  was  afraid  they  might  detect  something 
of  triumph  in  my  countenance,  when  I  thought  them 
so  humiliated  by  their  surrender  that  none  should 
have  been  exhibited,  though  we  could  not  help  feeling 
it. 

But  upon  entering  the  City,  having  passed  about 
five  thousand  of  the  Mexican  Army  before  we  reacheb 
the  walls,  all  feelings  of  pride  were  gone  when  I  wit 
nessed  the  awful  evidences  of  the  deadly  work  of  our 
destructive  shells;  not  a  step  was  taken  that  we  did 
not  see  or  stumble  over  the  ruins  we  had  made;  in 
many  of  the  houses  shells  had  fallen,  and  burst,  blowing 
everything  within  them  to  ruins.  The  police  had 
been  entirely  neglected,  and  the  smell  of  the  filth  was 
very  offensive. 

Occasionally  we  saw  men,  women,  and  children 
standing  in  the  doorways  or  looking  from  the  windows 
upon  our  rapidly  advancing  troops ;  there  was  no  scowl 
or  frown,  but  on  the  contrary  no  smiles  welcomed  us ; 
the  countenance  bore  more  of  sadness  and  sorrow  than 
of  anger.  I  saw  but  little  of  the  City;  my  eye  rested 
only  on  the  ruins,  and  it  was  with  feelings  of  relief 
I  reached  the  end  of  the  City,  where  we  found  boats 
ready  to  convey  our  command  to  this  place.  A  few 
minutes  landed  us  on  this  formidable  work. 

A  Salute  was  fired,  and  the  Stars  and  Stripes  raised. 
I  then  felt  that  we  were  in  an  American  Castle.  Soon 
afterwards  /  fired  a  second  Salute  to  the  "Princeton"  as 
she  passed  us  on  her  way  home ;  this  salute  was  joyfully 
given,  as  she  bears  two  or  three  letters  to  my  wife 
informing  her  of  the  capture  of  City  and  Castle,  and 
of  God's  having  preserved  my  life  through  the  dangers 
of  the  siege. 

To-day  we  have  received  orders  that  for  the  present 


i<>4          An  Artillery  Officer 

the  three  companies  of  the  3rd  Arty,  under  Col. 
Belton,  are  to  compose  the  garrison  of  this  place. 
I  shall  therefore  have  ample  leisure  to  study  this  work. 
We  find  the  quarters  excessively  filthy;  they  will  not 
answer  for  our  men;  we  shall  have  to  construct  tem 
porary  quarters  on  top  of  the  present  quarters  which 
are  not  sufficiently  ventilated. 

The  troops  in  the  Castle  are  said  to  have  lost  but  one 
man  who  was  killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  shell  thrown 
from  one  of  the  mortars  of  the  battery.  I  commanded 
the  last  day  of  our  firing.  We  were  dealing  de 
struction  so  heavily  on  the  town  that  I  thought  I  would 
see  if  I  could  wake  the  Castle,  hence  the  unauthorized 
shell  which  killed  this  poor  man. 

Of  the  casualties  in  the  City,  I  am  afraid  to  enquire ; 
most  heart-rending  scenes  undoubtedly  occurred.  The 
British  Consul  lost  a  daughter  about  fifteen  years 
old,  killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  shell.  The  Consul 
does  not  blame  any  one  but  himself  as  he  says  he  should 
have  left  the  City  when  Genl.  Scott  gave  them  pass 
ports  to  do  so. 

To-morrow,  or  as  soon  as  transportation  can  be 
procured,  Genl.  Twiggs  will  advance  to  the  National 
Bridge,  thirty  miles  distant  on  the  road  to  Mexico. 
Jalapa  is,  I  presume,  to  be  the  place  where  the  Army 
will  take  summer  quarters.  It  is  represented  as 
enjoying  a  delightful  climate,  perfectly  healthy,  and 
sixty  or  seventy-five  miles  from  this  place.  I  hope 
that  as  my  good  luck  has,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  thus 
far  prevailed,  I  may  not  now  have  a  change  and  be 
settled  down  here  during  the  summer  months.  I  have 
no  great  dread  of  the  yellow  fever,  but  do  not  wish 
to  be  separated  from  the  Army  when  something  may 
be  done.  The  3rd  has  had  the  good  fortune  to  have 


In  Mexico  I05 

been  at  the  batteries  more  than  half  the  time  the  firing 
lasted. 

I  had  the  honor  of  firing  with  "G"  Co.  and  a  compy.  of 
the  2nd  Arty,  the  first  two  Salutes  ever  given  by  the  U.  S. 
troops  in  this  justly  celebrated  work.  The  United  States 
in  getting  possession  of  this  work,  gets  many  very  valu 
able  guns,  and  a  large  quantity  of  Ord.  Stores.  Many 
of  the  large  guns  are  old  Spanish  pieces  of  the  iyth 
Century  filled  with  curious  devices  and  inscriptions. 
The  brass  contained  in  the  bronze  of  which  they 
are  made,  is  of  itself  valuable.  Here  are  also  fine 
English,  French,  and  American  pieces,  some  bear 
ing  the  well-known  stamp  W.  P.  F.,  West  Point 
Foundry. 

As  Col.  Belton  is  to  take  this  letter  to  town,  and  as 
the  boat  has  just  been  reported  ready,  I  must  close. 
Give  my  love  to  Father,  Mother,  and  the  girls. 

Before  I  close,  let  me  beg  you  not  to  defer  writing 
till  the  last  day.  'T  is  the  worry  of  writing  so  long  a 
letter  that  gives  you  pains  in  your  back.  Do  not  make 
writing  so  much  a  matter  of  business;  write  not  more 
than  one  page  at  a  time  and  close  it  on  mail  day.  Try 
this  and  resolve  not  to  break  your  rule  of  one  page  a 
day,  and  all  will  be  well. 

No.  2.    ULUA,  VERA  CRUZ,  MEXICO. 

Thursday,  April  ist. 

Presuming  that  I  may  consider  myself  as  at  home 
for  a  few  days  at  least  in  this  "Fortaleza, "  I  com 
mence  my  daily  chat  with  you  on  my  largest  paper. 
The  other  day  I  wrote  so  hurriedly,  that  I  merely 
thanked  you  for  your  letters,  but  my  answer  like 
most  purporting  to  be  such,  did  not  give  a  reply  to  a 
single  one  of  your  queries.  Some  of  them  are  very 


106         An  Artillery  Officer 

hard  to  answer,  but  still  I  will  give  the  best  I  can. 
Before  commencing,  let  me  say  that  I  found  a  sweet 
little  violet  in  the  letter,  which  I  have  placed  among 
my  treasures. 

I  have  said  nothing  about  your  joining  me,  because 
everything  has  been  and  still  continues  uncertain. 
I  could  not  write  for  you  to  come  on,  even  if  ordered 
to  remain  at  a  given  place,  because  the  very  next 
day  might  order  me  to  a  remote  part  of  the  Country. 
What  effect  the  glorious  taking  of  Vera  Cruz  and  of 
this  place  will  have  on  the  question  of  peace  or  war, 
we  cannot  tell. 

Some  of  the  Mexican  officers  who  were  received  as 
prisoners  of  war  on  the  24th  inst.  said  that  it  would 
protract  the  war.  They  probably  spoke  from  the  effect 
of  deeply  mortified  feelings.  Could  Genl.  Scott  now 
be  enabled  to  enter  into  correspondence  with  the  Govt. 
I  would  hope  for  the  best  results;  a  few  months  might 
then  restore  me  to  your  side.  Let  us  hope  for  the  best. 

Mexico  is,  however,  exceedingly  crippled;  her  great 
General,  he  who  was  to  rouse  the  slumbering  energies 
of  the  Nation,  the  Army's  Hero,  Santa  Anna,  has 
been  beaten  by  Genl.  Taylor,  and  here  we  are  in 
peaceable  possession  of  her  strongest  tower  of  defence. 

The  value  of  the  armament  of  this  Fortress,  and  of 
the  defences  of  the  City  is  enormous.  One  hundred 
and  forty  good  guns  are  in  this  place,  many  of  them 
fine  iron  guns  cast  at  the  West  Point  Foundry,  most 
of  them  good  bronze  Spanish  and  French  pieces, 
which  are  very  valuable.  We  find  but  a  scanty  supply 
of  provisions,  but  powder,  ball,  shells  and  guns, 
howitzers  or  Columbiads,  and  mortars  in  the  greatest 
abundance. 

We  learn  from  citizens  of  Vera  Cruz  that  they  had 


S  A-  VI 


TA 


GENERAL    SANTA    ANNA 

From  a  lithograph 


In  Mexico  I07 

no  idea  that  we  were  engaged  in  erecting  our  batteries 
till  a  short  time  before  we  opened  our  fires.  The  ex 
pectation  was  that  we  would  take  the  place  by  a  storm 
ing  party;  everything  was  well  prepared  for  this, 
every  street  had  its  barricades,  and  most  of  the  houses 
had  sandbags  at  the  doors  and  windows,  and  on  the 
roofs.  We  should  have  met  with  very  heavy  losses 
had  we  not  approached  the  town  as  we  did.  This 
fortress  was  also  prepared  for  an  assault,  as  the  direct 
passage  along  every  part  of  the  work  is  cut  up  by 
piles  of  sandbags  forming  what  we  call  "traverses." 

My  promise  to  get  you  to  me  or  for  me  to  take  myself 
to  you,  will,  you  may  be  assured,  be  performed  as  soon 
as  either  can  with  propriety  be  done. 

Your  suspicions  about  Corp.  Hannel's  jaundice 
being  yellow  fever,  were  fortunately  groundless,  as  a 
day  or  two  after  reaching  Tampico  he  was  quite 
restored.  To  your  appeal  for  me  to  urge  matters 
with  my  friends  to  gain  me  promotion,  my  last  letter 
from  camp,  and  since  then  the  indecent  conduct  of 
Mr.  Polk  has  given  a  full  answer.  The  President  or 
his  advisers  resorted  to  a  practical  lie  to  reward  some 
of  their  pets.  The  law  of  Congress  declares  that  the 
President  is  authorized  to  appoint  an  additional 
Major  to  each  Regt.,  "who  shall  be  taken  from  the 
Captains  of  the  Army,"  and  what  does  he  do  but 
send  to  the  Senate  a  man's  name  for  a  Captaincy  in 
the  Army,  and  probably  the  very  next  meeting  of  the 
Senate,  nominates  this  individual  as  -  Major.  Such 
conduct  is,  I  think,  disgraceful. 

Major  Geo.  Talcott  received  in  the  same  envelope  his 
commissions  as  Capt.  and  Major.  Could  I  do  so  with 
honor,  I  would  resign  to-morrow  rather  than  hold 
a  commission  under  an  administration  which  has, 


An  Artillery  Officer 

from  the  first  day  of  its  existence,  shewn  that  it  used 
all  means  to  destroy  the  pride  and  trample  on  the 
rights  of  the  Army  particularly  when  that  army  has 
by  its  gallant  deeds  plucked  its  drowning  honors 
from  the  deep.  I  cannot  think  with  patience  of  the 
gross  acts  of  injustice  practised  towards  some  gallant 
men  in  the  Army. 

Look  at  the  case  of  my  friend,  Charles  F.  Smith.  He 
has  been  foremost  in  every  battle  in  which  he  has  been 
engaged,  and  he  has  been  in  all  save  Genl.  Taylor's  last, 
and  he  has  not  even  received  the  notice  of  an  empty 
brevet.  A  man  known  and  admired  by  all  the  Army 
for  his  well-tried  courage,  his  cool  self-possession  in 
danger,  and  his  high  military  attainments,  and  over  this 
man's  head  are  placed  a  score  of  men  whose  sole 
recommendation  is  that  they  or  their  friends  have 
proved  faithful  in  their  worship  of  the  President's 
party.  Enough,  enough. 

It  appears  from  letters  received  in  camp  from  Maj. 
Bliss  and  some  others  in  Genl.  Taylor's  army  that  the 
Illinois  and  Arkansas  Volunteers  ran  like  sheep  from 
Genl.  T.'s  battle-field.  Poor  Lincoln  received  his 
death  wound  in  trying  to  rally  one  of  the  Regts. 
Lt.  Col.  H.  Clay,  it  is  said,  was  deserted  after  he  had 
been  wounded,  and  was  lanced  by  the  Mexicans. 
And  still  Genl.  Taylor  does  not  in  his  despatches 
consign  the  cowards  to  merited  infamy.  This  looks 
very  much  like  a  squint  at  the  Presidency. 

A  quarter  past  eight  P.M.  Col.  Belton,  Adjt.  Austine, 
and  some  others  of  our  officers  have  returned  from 
town;  they  have  sought  to  ascertain  whether  we  are 
to  remain  here,  or  to  accompany  the  Army  into  the 
interior.  Their  impression  is  that  not  more  than  one 
Compy.  will  be  left,  that  this  Fortaleza  and  the  armed 


In  Mexico  I09 

works  in  the  City  will  be  dismantled  and  the  guarding 
of  this  place  be  left  mostly  to  the  Navy.  Should  this 
be  true,  I  have  a  chance  of  spending  the  summer  at 
Jalapa,  celebrated  for  its  healthfulness,  etc. 

Capt.  Wade  has  been  kept  by  Col.  Gates,  at  Tampico. 
Capt.  Wayne  is  here,  as  small  as  ever.  The  illustrious 
patron  keeps  away  from  my  company.  The  promotion 
of  Bvt.  Capt.  Taylor  and  Lt.  Steptoe  to  fill  the  vacancies 
of  Bvt.  Col.  Childs,  made  Additional  Major,  1st  Arty., 
and  Capt.  Vinton,  killed  at  his  battery,  will  give  the 
patron  command  of  the  Compy.  he  is  now  serving 
with,  which  is  the  Compy.  about  whose  fate  your 
letter  expresses  solicitude. 

Derr  is  still  my  right-hand  man,  and  as  kindly  atten 
tive  as  he  can  be.  I  approve  your  suggestion  about 
Lassie  and  will  thank  you  to  ask  Father  to  dispose  of 
her;  he  may  make  his  own  bargain.  Her  pedigree 
which  is  before  me,  written  by  the  Editor  of  the  Spirit 
of  the  Times,  is,  Lassie  by  Gohanna  out  of  Isabella 
by  Sir  Charles,  her  dam  by  American  Eagle,  g.g.  dam 
by  Independence,  g.g.g.  dam  by  Jim  Crack,  g.g.g.g. 
dam  by  Impd.  Sharke  out  of  a  thoroughbred  mare. 
American  Eagle  by  Impd.  Spread  Eagle,  dam  by  Im. 
Sharke,  g.  dam  Atalanta  by  Lyndsay's  Arabian,  g.g. 
dam  Impd.  Kitty  Fisher.  (See  Turf  Register,  vol.  2, 
page  622.)  For  Independence  (grandson  of  Mary 
Randolph  and  Annetta)  see  Turf  Register,  ditto  for 
Jim  Crack's  pedigree  in  full.  This  is  horse  learning 
enough  for  you.  I  send  her  pedigree  in  full,  because 
any  one  who  wants  blood  will  find  that  of  Lassie  as 
pure  and  good  as  any  stock  in  the  Country.  I  shall 
dislike  parting  from  her,  but  I  know  it  is  best. 

Maj.  Whiting,  I  hear,  leaves  Mexico  for  the  United 
States;  he  is  not  able  to  stand  a  summer's  campaign 


110          An  Artillery  Officer 

here.  You  know,  though,  how  weakly  he  is.  I  have 
not  heard  of  Mrs.  Hawkins,  but  she  would  perhaps 
do  a  good  wife's  part  by  joining  her  husband 

April  2nd. 

Having  written  at  such  length  yesterday,  I  shall 
write  only  a  few  lines  to  you  to-night.  News  from  the 
City  of  Mexico  informs  us  that  they  are  there  engaged 
in  a  struggle,  of  the  Peace  party  under  Herrera  and  the 
Priesthood  with  Santa  Anna,  and  Gomez  Farias  heading 
the  War  party.  It  is  said  that  the  parties  have  been 
fighting  for  three  or  four  days  in  the  streets. 

The  Army  which  surrendered  to  us  on  the  2Qth  have 
in  the  progress  into  the  interior  committed  all  kinds  of 
disgraceful  excesses  laying  the  country  waste  by  pillage 
and  fire  as  they  passed  in. 

The  expedition  to  Alvarado  under  Genl.  Quit  man 
met  with  no  resistance;  indeed  I  learn  this  evening 
that  a  deputation  was  received  by  Genl.  Scott  from  the 
authorities  there,  a  short  time  after  the  departure  of 
the  expedition,  offering  to  surrender  to  the  Army  and 
Genl.  Scott.  An  expedition  of  about  one  thousand 
men  left  this  morning  for  some  little  place,  Antigua, 
some  fourteen  miles  hence,  where  there  are  said  to  be 
seven  hundred  Mexican  soldiers.  Could  we  now  ad 
vance,  the  chances  are  that  we  might  march  direct  upon 
Mexico  without  having  to  fire  a  gun  before  reaching 
that  place.  Rumor  says  that  Genl.  Taylor  is  advancing 
to  San  Luis;  doubtful.  Col.  Riley,  another  visitor  to 
Ulua,  sends  message  to  his  dear  friend  the  General 
[Clinch].  Time  for  retiring,  will  bid  you  good-night. 

April  3rd. 
I  commenced  crossing  No.  2  but  recollecting  that 


GENERAL   WILLIAM    JENKINS    WORTH 

From  an  engraving  by  J.  Sartain,  after  a  daguerreotype 


In  Mexico 


you  had  but  one  mail  a  week,  and  that  a  series  of  letters 
had  been  sent  but  a  few  days  since,  I  thought  it  would 
be  better  to  give  you  a  letter  which  could  be  read, 
without  that  difficulty  always  existing  with  badly 
written  and  crossed  letters. 

As  our  Fortaleza  is  separated  from  Hd.  Qrs.  by  one 
half  mile  of  water,  I  can  only  give  you  the  rumors 
which  float  to  us  from  the  City;  many  of  them  are, 
subsequently  to  our  first  hearing  them,  found  to  be 
incorrect;  such  as  are  important  I  will  always  try  and 
give  you  the  last  and  true  version  of,  but  the  minor 
ones  are  not  worth  re-mentioning. 

I  find  by  orders  received  yesterday,  that  we  (the 
3rd  Arty.)  are  brigaded  with  the  2nd  Arty,  and  4th 
Infy.,  the  brigade  commanded  by  Col.  Bankhead. 
This  promises  that  we  may  accompany  the  Army  into 
the  Country,  as  it  makes  it  Col.  B.'s  interest  to  keep 
us  with  him,  and  he  has  much  influence  at  Hd.  Qrs. 
Major  Genl.  W.  G.  Worth  has  issued  his  order  dividing 
his  old  Brigade  into  two  Brigades,  he  commanding 
them  as  a  Division  so  that  we  belong  now  to  the  1st 
Brigade,  1st  Division. 

I  shall,  if  I  can  obtain  a  copy,  send  by  this  mail 
the  first  number  of  the  American  Eagle  published  at 
Vera  Cruz.  It  gives  a  different  version  to  the  news 
from  the  City  of  Mexico  from  that  written  yesterday 
by  me;  this  may  be  correction  No.  i  of  the  Camp 
rumors.  Genl.  Santa  Anna  is  there  stated  to  have 
joined  the  Priests'  party,  and  opposed  Gomez  Farias. 
This  gives  us  a  President  versus  his  Vice-president. 

Sunday  morning,  April  4th. 

I  was  prevented  by  a  succession  of  visitors  from 
writing  more  than  the  above  note  yesterday  and  must 


112          An  Artillery  Officer 

write  as  rapidly  as  I  can  till  breakfast,  as  the  steamer 
Edith  leaves  this  morning,  I  hear,  for  the  United  States 
and  I  must  have  my  letter  mailed  in  time. 

The  news  from  Mexico  is  reported  to  be,  that  Santa 
Anna  has  placed  himself  in  the  governmental  seat, 
but  that  both  parties  are  for  prosecuting  the  war 
(correction  No.  2). 

Genl.  Scott  thinks,  I  was  told  yesterday,  that  the 
difficulties  between  the  two  Governments  will  be 
arranged  in  a  few  months.  Genl.  Worth,  as  you  will 
see  by  this  paper,  sent  by  this  mail,  is  Governor  of 
Vera  Cruz  and  this  place.  He  is  exerting  himself  to 
clean  the  city,  having  pressed  into  the  police  service 
some  two  hundred  Mexican  laborers.  He  feeds  them 
well,  and  they,  I  fancy,  do  not  overwork  themselves. 
Confidence  seems  gradually  gaining  ground,  shops 
which  were  closed  for  the  first  three  or  four  days 
are  now  opened. 

If  the  Vols.  were  at  home  we  could  so  govern  our 
soldiers  as  to  check  outrages  now  hourly  committed. 
Capt.  Marshall  states  that  as  he  was  walking  in  the 
streets  night  before  last,  he  saw  just  ahead  of  him 
a  man  with  a  musket  and  before  he  reached  him,  the 
scamp  struck  a  Mexican  with  the  butt  of  his  musket  and 
knocked  him  down.  This  is  a  slight  enormity  compared 
with  some  that  have  been  committed.  A  Milty.  Com 
mission  has  been  instituted  by  Genl.  Scott  to  try  all 
cases  which  can  not  legally  be  brought  before  Courts- 
Martial,  and  I  hope  that  Genl.  S.  will  have  every 
convicted  culprit  punished  as  fully  as  the  court  and  law 
direct. 

Major  Wade's  Compy.  has  been  ordered  from 
Tampico  to  join  the  Regt.  here.  Unless  Col.  Gates 
can  offer  very  weighty  arguments  against  its  being 


In  Mexico  "3 

withdrawn  from  that  place,  I  presume  that  we  shall 
enjoy  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  Major  here.  Col. 
Gates  seems  very  anxious  to  increase  his  regulars,  as 
he  has  detained  two  compys.  of  Infy.  who  accidently 
touched  at  Tampico  on  their  way  here. 

I  have  omitted  mentioning  that  this  grand  army 
is  honored  by  the  presence  of  a  lady,  and  who  do  you 
suppose  her  to  be — no  less  a  personage  than  Mrs. 

.  She  visited  our  Fortaleza  the  day  we  took 

possession,  but  I  did  not  beg  an  introduction.  She 
remained  on  board  ship  during  the  siege;  where  she 
is  now,  I  do  not  know.  I  presume  that  she  intends 
accompanying  us  to  Mexico.  Could  she  hear  the  re 
marks  made  about  the  indecency  and  indelicacy  of 
her  husband's  having  allowed  her  to  come,  I  am  sure 
that  her  ears  would  burn. 

I  am  sorry  that  Duncan  has  set  his  heart  upon  enter 
ing  the  service  at  this  time.  Those  of  us  now  in,  are 
thinking  seriously  of  getting  out,  so  that  the  new  ins 
stand  a  chance  of  good  promotion.  The  recent  pro 
motions  will  place  me  the  third  captain  in  the  Regt. 
Capts.  Burke  and  Wade  are  the  two  above  me. 

As  we  are  soon  to  go  into  Summer  quarters,  I  must 
put  you  on  your  guard  about  listening  to  or  rather 
believing  the  ten  thousand  reports  you  will  hear  and 
see  about  the  health  of  our  troops.  I  find  that  letter 
writers  who  are  with  us  write  lies,  either  through 
ignorance,  inattention,  or  design.  I  will  inform  you 
if  there  be  any  unusual  degree  of  sickness  in  our  Army. 
Should  I  be  taken  sick,  you  may  be  pretty  well  assured 
of  my  being  sent  out  of  the  country,  as  no  useless 
mouths  are  wanted  with  an  army  which  will  have  to 
draw  its  supplies  as  far  into  the  interior  as  we  are 
going. 


"4          An  Artillery  Officer 

You  enquire  about  our  friend  Major  Whitney;  he 
has  gone  home;  he  stayed  through  the  siege,  and  was 
sent  off  the  day  before  yesterday.  It  is  well  that  he 
should  return;  he  was  present  at  the  siege  and  capture  of 
Vera  Cruz,  and  as  this  will  be  regarded  as  the  great 
feat  of  our  war,  he  returns  now  satisfied  and  will  find 
in  the  incidents  of  the  siege  anecdotes  enough  for 
repetition  for  the  last  days  of  his  life,  rapidly,  I  fear, 
drawing  to  a  close. 

Our  friend  Austine  has  been  for  some  time  anxious 
to  give  up  his  Adjutancy,  if  he  could  get  anything 
better.  He  applied  on  receiving  the  recent  law  giving 
a  Rgtl.  Q.  M.  to  each  Regt.,  for  that  appointment 
to  our  Regt.  but  Lt.  Col.  Belton,  who  assumes  that  he 
has  authority  to  appoint,  gave  the  appointment  to 
Lt.  Van  Vliet  (gone  to  New  Orleans  sick)  on  the  ground 
assumed  by  the  President  towards  the  Army,  in  not 
giving  appointments  in  new  Regts.  to  officers  of  the 
Army,  "that  Lt.  Austine  was  already  well  provided 
for." 

Capt.  Taylor,  who  desires  to  be  remembered,  has  just 
informed  me  that  the  letters  are  to  be  sent  to  the 
Edith,  and  that  the  boat  is  to  go  very  soon.  I  must 
therefore  close.  That  God  may  bless  and  guard  you  is 
my  earnest  prayer. 

When  shall  we  spend  our  sweet  Sundays  together? 
How  different  this  day  from  what  it  was  when  we  were 
together. 

No.  i.    CAMP  SURRENDER,  VERA  CRUZ,  MEXICO. 

April  5th. 

Again  in  Camp,  and  very  much  I  assure  you, 
to  my  own  gratification.  I  had  been  a  little  ap 
prehensive  that  it  might  be  my  fate  to  be  among 


In  Mexico  "5 

those  to  be  left  behind,  and  was  delighted  to  re 
ceive  orders  to  leave  the  pleasant  quarters  of  the 
Fortaleza  de  Ulua,  where,  though  we  revelled  not  in 
the  Halls  of  the  Montezumas,  we  had  the  honor  of 
being  bitten  by  day  and  night  by  fleas  which  might 
have  legitimately  descended  from  the  Conquerors  of 
this  Country.  Defend  me  from  a  summer  residence 
in  the  justly  celebrated  Ulua!  I  would,  I  am  certain, 
be  very  unwilling  to  rank  among  its  conquerors  again, 
were  a  residence  there  a  necessary  consequence.  I  am 
sure  that  I  would  gladly  vote  for  its  re-delivery,  in  prefer 
ence  to  remaining  there,  I  mean.  Tell  Father,  no 
disparagement  to  Florida  when  I  say  that  Ulua  can 
beat  her  and  give  her  odds,  in  producing  fleas  and  mos 
quitoes.  I  must  send  a  phial  of  them  to  the  National 
Museum  at  Washington  to  be  placed  among  our 
trophies.  Stay,  I  need  not  do  it,  the  flag  and  articles 
to  be  forwarded  will  carry  the  breed. 

I  have  just  returned  from  reporting  my  arrival  in 
Camp  to  Col.  Bankhead,  our  new  Brigade  (2nd  Arty., 
3rd  Arty.,  and  4th  Infy.)  Commander,  and  am  sorry  to 
find  that  in  consequence  of  his  not  getting  on  well  with 
our  new  Division  Commander,  Major  Genl.  Worth,  he  is 
soon  to  leave  for  the  United  States.  The  order  states 
that  in  consequence  of  his  health  and  distinguished 
services  in  the  trenches  he  has  been  selected  to  convey 
to  the  President  the  Flags,  etc.,  captured  in  the  City 
and  Castle.  Col.  B.  is  a  selfish  man,  but  is  always  a  gen 
tleman  ;  I  am  sorry  to  lose  him,  though  I  know  that  he 
is  too  infirm  to  accompany  us  into  the  interior. 

I  also  learn  that  the  Edith  for  which  I  wrote  so 
hurriedly,  day  before  yesterday,  has  not  yet  gone, 
and  that  she  will  leave  to-morrow,  hence  this  hurried 
scrawl  in  place  of  one  of  my  old-fashioned  family 


*l6          An  Artillery  Officer 

talks.  Having  reached  Camp  about  twelve,  I  dined 
with  Cousin  Sam,  and  enjoyed  the  best  dinner  I  have 
had  since  I  landed — bean  soup,  rice,  tomatoes,  sweet 
potatoes,  green  peppers  as  a  salad  with  the  tomatoes. 

At  the  Castle  we  have  had  fresh  beef  twice,  but 
really,  the  taste  was  such  that  I  was  not  certain  it 
might  not  have  been  a  spare  cut  from  the  rump  of 
some  poor  donkey  killed  by  one  of  our  shells  during 
the  siege.  Last  night,  hunger  and  the  novelty  of 
seeing  fresh  meat  made  me  relish  a  piece,  but  this 
morning,  I  could  not  go  it,  like  a  second  bad  egg;  I 
left  the  enjoyment  to  those  who  liked  it.  I  am  told 
that  by  sending  to  market  early,  we  can  purchase 
vegetables,  etc.  I  think  that  one  of  our  men  must 
wake  to-morrow  bien  matinee! 

I  met  Dr.  Cuyler  in  the  City  as  I  passed  through  it, 
and  was  told  that  he  was  to  do  duty  with  the  3rd.  Dr. 
Potter  is  now  our  Surgeon;  he  is,  I  find,  a  great  favorite 
with  some  of  the  2nd,  with  whom  he  has  been  serving; 
they  are  both,  I  believe,  good  surgeons,  and  we  shall 
be  lucky  in  having  either.  By  the  bye,  I  met  young 
Dr.  Steiner  in  the  City;  he  had  an  army  cap  and  in 
formed  me  that  he  was  on  duty  with  the  4th  Arty. 

I  find  that  much  has  been  done  to  cleanse  the  City 
since  I  first  passed  through  it.  The  sandbags  have 
been  taken  down,  and  some  of  the  filth  removed,  but 
much  yet  remains  undone;  you  see  many  piles  of  rub 
bish,  with  here  and  there  fragments  of  the  murderous 
shells.  Doubtful  of  the  proper  name  of  this  Camp,  I 
have  given  it  a  name,  descriptive  of  its  locality,  as  it 
embraces  the  ground  occupied  by  our  troops  on  the 
29th,  when  the  enemy  laid  down  their  arms. 

No  one  pretends  to  guess  the  day  of  our  departure ; 
the  fact  is  that  our  knowing  ones  have  been  so  com- 


In  Mexico  "7 

pletely  found  amiss  in  their  speculations  that  they 
cease  to  be  regarded  as  prophets. 

I  this  moment  hear  a  mocking-bird  warbling  his 
sweet  notes;  the  Band  of  the  2nd  is  practising,  and 
this  sweet  bird  seems  answering  to  some  notes  he  loves. 
How  many,  many  miles  do  those  notes  bear  my  thoughts, 
my  wishes,  from  this  dull  camp.  How  delightful  and 
still  how  tinged  with  sadness  those  thoughts!  They 
tell  of  home,  of  a  beloved  wife,  but  yet  of  a  home  that 
I  do  not  enjoy  with  her.  Sing  on,  sweet  bird,  there 
is  joy  mingled  with  the  sadness  of  your  song.  I  may 
soon  be  as  free  as  you  are  and  return  on  wings  of  love 
to  my  own  mate.  Why  not?  The  storm  is  now  over 
and  we  may  expect  a  calm.  Gentle  Peace  will  soon, 
I  hope,  spread  her  healing  wings  over  this  distracted 
country,  and  will  send  us  hopping  glad  to  our  homes 
again. 

Having  reduced  my  baggage  to  nearly  the  campaign 
allowance,  you  must  expect  nothing  but  scrawls  from 
me  henceforth.  My  Compy.  desk  has  been  deposited 
with  some  other,  etc.,  in  the  Castle.  I  now  write  on 
the  top  of  my  little  hand  trunk  placed  on  the  old  camp 
bedstead.  My  seat  is  the  campstool  which  was 
broken  in  our  march  to  Tampa  Bay.  These  three 
articles  with  my  dressing-gown  and  large  pillow  have 
been  great  comforts  I  assure  you.  I  shall  be  sorry 
when  I  have  to  leave  any  of  them  behind.  'T  is  said 
that  we  are  to  have  very  limited  means  of  transporta 
tion  when  we  leave  for  Jalapa.  I  must  manage  to 
have  my  favorites  taken  by  my  friends,  los  medicos, 
whose  means  of  transportation  are  very  liberal  in  all 
well-appointed  armies. 

Heigho,  an  order  has  just  been  handed  me  stating 
that  in  consequence  of  the  limited  means  of  transpor- 


"8          An  Artillery  Officer 

tation  all  Compy.  and  Regt.  Books  must  be  left.  I  fear 
that  some  of  my  good  friends  will  have  to  stay  behind. 
N'importe,  they  were  in  the  Siege;  they  have  had 
glory  enough  to  make  all  stay-at-home,  small  trunks, 
bedsteads,  and  chairs  blush  for  their  lack  of  spirit  in 
not  having  gone  into  the  field  at  their  Country's  call! 
Who  can  conceive  what  thrilling  stories  these  said 
articles  of  furniture  may  attempt  telling  you  some 
of  these  days  when  they  are  in  the  mood  ? 

I  must  stop  cross  writing  here  or  you  will  make 
nothing  of  the  whole  letter.  As  Col.  B.  proposes 
leaving  in  a  few  days,  he  will  probably  be  the  bearer  of 
my  next  despatches? 

No.  2.    CAMP  NEAR  VERA  CRUZ,  MEXICO. 

April  5th. 

Though  a  letter  was  written  and  sent  to  be  mailed 
since  my  arrival  in  camp  to-day,  I  must  have  my  even 
ing's  chat  with  you  before  I  retire.  My  conscience 
has  reproached  me,  too,  with  my  ingratitude  in  having 
omitted  in  my  list  of  comforts,  my  mosquito  bar  (the 
daily  admiration  of  Derr),  my  coarse  towels,  and  dress 
ing-gown.  Two  luxuries  I  shall  have  to  part  with,  my 
white  wash  basin  and  pitcher;  these  I  can  replace, 
however,  at  Jalapa.  The  others  are  home  tokens 
containing  either  your  work  or  executed  under  your 
directions.  An  order  requiring  my  separation  from 
them  would  be  met  with  a  very  ill  grace. 

April  6th. 

I  had  written  the  first  four  lines  last  night,  when 
Capt.  Taylor  and  Lt.  Thomas  came  to  my  tent,  and 
talked  nonsense  till  my  candle  was  burnt  into  the  socket ; 
having,  unfortunately,  no  other,  I  could  not  write  a 


In  Mexico  IJ9 

word  more  and  was  compelled  to  go  to  bed.  The  only 
piece  of  information  communicated  was,  that  we  were 
authorized  to  send  and  receive  letters  free  of  postage. 
This  is  not  much  of  a  boon  to  me,  as  the  postage  on 
my  letters  is  always  most  freely  given. 

This  morning  I,  being  for  the  first  time  where  I 
could  indulge  that  extravagance,  tried  a  little  market 
ing;  here  are  some  of  the  items:  sweet  potatoes,  about 
the  medium  size,  6J4  cents  apiece,  turnips  as  large 
as  two  fists  12^/2  cents,  tomatoes  2  cents  apiece, 
something  between  a  cabbage  and  a  lettuce  6J4  cents 
ahead.  Everything  is  very  high.  Claret  $14  a  dozen; 
this  is  a  luxury  rather  too  expensive  to  be  indulged  in, 
when  the  necessaries  of  life  are  so  high.  Bacon  18}^ 
cents  per  pound,  etc.  However,  things  will  either  be 
lower,  or  we  will,  when  we  get  into  the  health  region 
of  the  country,  get  so  healthy  and  so  stout  as  to  be 
able  to  do  without  them,  as  we  can  then  eat  anything. 

No  news  from  the  interior  on  which  any  reliance 
can  be  placed.  Col.  Kinney,  who  seems  to  know  every 
thing,  told  me  this  morning  that  peace  was  not  talked 
of  in  the  country  around  this  place,  that  Santa  Anna 
was  approaching  the  coast  with  a  large  army.  I  cannot 
think  that  he  has  so  soon  forgotten  the  thrashing  Genl. 
Taylor  gave  him  at  Buena  Vista,  and  am  not  inclined 
to  think  that  he  is  willing  to  measure  his  strength  with 
the  army. 

I  am  still  highly  gratified  at  my  change  from  Garrison 
to  Camp;  my  men  are  in  better  spirits  than  they  were: 
here  I  can  hear  them  cracking  jokes  and  indulging  in 
merry  laughter,  in  the  Castle  they  looked  like  convicts. 
No  castles  for  me.  I  have  to-day  another  newspaper 
for  you,  the  second  number  of  the  American  Eagle,  con 
taining  some  of  Genl.  Scott's  correspondence  relative 


120          An  Artillery  Officer 

to  the  surrender.  The  paper  is  badly  printed.  This 
press  will,  I  presume,  follow  us  into  the  interior,  so  that 
you  will  probably  receive  all  the  numbers  of  it.  Whether 
the  paper  established  at  Tampico  still  exists  I  know 
not.  I  had  thought  of  having  it  sent  to  you  regularly , 
but  when  I  can  write  regularly,  even  if  I  can  send  a 
letter  but  once  a  week,  there  will  be  but  little  left  un- 
communicated. 

Yesterday,  as  the  papers  state,  was  a  hot  day,  but 
not  hotter  than  I  have  experienced  in  the  United 
States.  Col.  Belton  is  still  in  the  Castle.  I  expected 
him  and  the  remaining  Compy.  of  this  Regt.  this  morning, 
but  his  Excellency  dislikes  relinquishing  his  Governor 
ship.  No  news  yet  of  Major  Wade's  arrival;  it  should 
be  a  severe  disappointment  to  him,  if  he  is  kept  from 
advancing  to  Jalapa  with  us. 

Now  that  I  am  here,  for  the  last  time  in  my  life  I 
trust,  I  am  anxious  to  see  as  much  of  the  country 
as  I  can,  and  would  therefore  be  pleased,  if  it  can  be 
done  without  interfering  with  my  leaving  this  land  as 
soon  as  possible,  to  go  as  far  as  the  City  of  Mexico. 
I  hope  that  the  land  bounty  will  give  us  good  results 
for  our  winter  operations,  and  that  the  President  will 
increase  the  Volunteers  to  a  force  so  respectable  in 
numbers  as  to  sweep  over  the  whole  country.  I  will 
now  bid  you  a  good-morning,  as  I  must  examine  and 
send  off  my  quarterly  papers.  Bonjour. 

After  tattoo.  I  cannot  retire,  without  having  a 
little  chat  with  you.  My  old  friend,  Capt.  Wall, 
arrived  to-day  and  has  been  sitting  with  me  and  talking 
over  army,  and  former-day  affairs.  He  takes  com 
mand  of  the  Compy.  now  commanded  by  Lt.  Steptoe, 
who  will,  I  suppose,  be  promoted  to  Capt.  Vinton's 
Company. 


In  Mexico 

Some  of  the  Alvarado  expedition  have  returned; 
they  report  having  found  plenty  of  cannon-batteries 
abandoned.  It  seems  that  a  midshipman  was  ordered 
to  precede  the  fleet,  with  orders  to  blockade  the  town. 
But  on  getting  in  sight  of  the  place,  he  took  it  into 
his  head  that  he  would  try  the  range  of  his  gun;  having 
fired  a  few  shots,  a  boat  pulled  out  from  town  offering  a 
surrender.  He  ran  in,  found  the  batteries  abandoned, 
took  possession,  and,  having  succeeded  so  admirably, 
he  ascended  the  river  some  twenty  miles  to  another 
town,  where  he  met  with  no  resistance.  The  Great 
Fleet  and  Army  now  arrives,  and  Commander  Perry 
finds  all  done.  The  Midshipman,  Mr.  Hunter,  he  has 
placed  under  arrest  for  disobedience  of  orders,  he  having 
been  sent  to  blockade,  not  to  take  the  place.  I  am  sorry 
that  the  Navy  will  not  have  "Alvarado"  to  add  to 
their  list  of  conquered  towns.  The  capture  of  this 
place  draws  after  it,  almost  as  a  matter  of  course,  the 
surrender  of  all  the  other  towns  along  the  coast. 

April  7th. 

I  have  just  returned  from  Col.  Bankhead's  tent;  he 
is  very  desirous  of  getting  off,  and  has  gone  to  the  City 
to  ascertain  if  a  vessel  will  sail  to-day.  He  will  em 
brace  the  earliest  opportunity  and  will  either  sail 
for  New  Orleans  or  New  York.  If  he  goes  to  New 
Orleans,  I  will  ask  him  to  take  charge  of  this  letter. 
But  otherwise  I  will  keep  it  and  add  another  sheet  or 
two  before  sending  it  off.  Genl.  Twiggs  is  under 
orders  to  advance  to-morrow  with  his  Brigade.  Genl. 
Quitman  will  follow  with  the  3rd,  and  we  close  the 
march  with  the  1st  Brigade.  The  transportation  is 
thus  far  limited  to  one  wagon  for  two  companies. 
I  hope  that  by  the  time  we  march,  the  Quartermasters' 


122  An  Artillery  Officer 

Dept.  may  succeed  in  increasing  their  means,  so  as  to 
be  a  little  more  liberal  with  us. 

A  mail  arrived,  I  hear,  in  the  Massachusetts,  last 
evening.  I  must  send  a  man,  Yawn,  to  enquire.  I  have 
sent  him,  and  hope  in  a  half  hour,  to  enjoy  the  delightful 
pleasure  of  reading  a  letter  from  you.  God  grant 
that  I  may  receive  good  news  from  my  wife.  As 
my  married  men  may  not  be  very  punctual  in  writing 
to  their  wives,  it  is  time  for  me  to  make  a  report  to 
enable  you  to  comply  with  your  promises  to  their 
wives.  Corp.  Devit,  Privates  Cramer  and  Howard 
are  all  slightly  indisposed;  nothing  more,  I  think,  than 
chills  and  fever.  Many  of  the  men  are  on  the  sick 
report  to-day.  This  is  always  the  case  with  new 
recruits ;  they  invariably,  after  an  arduous  tour  of  duty, 
will  be  found  on  the  sick  report  for  some  days.  And 
in  that  Castle,  the  men  were  prevented  by  fleas  and 
mosquitoes  from  sleeping. 

Capt.  Backus,  4th  Infy.,  relieved  Capt.  Vinton's 
Compy.  yesterday,  so  that  we  have  the  remnant  of 
the  3rd  Arty,  again  encamped  together.  Genl.  Worth 
stopped  a  moment  yesterday  as  he  passed,  and  in 
formed  me  that  Mrs.  Sprague  had  given  him  another 
granddaughter.  The  Genl.  looks  in  better  spirits 
since  the  reception  of  his  Major  General's  commission. 
I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Genl.  Twipgs; 
he  is  too  cunning  to  permit  Genl.  W.  to  outgeneral  him. 
I  fancy  that  Twiggs's  friends  will  succeed  in  getting  a 
brevet  for  him,  bearing  the  same  date,  or  an  older  one 
than  Gen.  W.  I  must  wait  till  Yawn  returns. 

Afternoon.  Yawn  returned  without  bringing  me 
a  letter.  Perhaps  I  ought  not  to  have  expected  one, 
as  my  dates  were  later  than  Dr.  Cuyler's  from  Savan 
nah,  but,  whenever  I  hear  that  a  mail  has  come, 


In  Mexico  123 

without  reflection  that,  as  you  have  but  one  mail 
per  week,  I  cannot  receive  them  oftener,  I  think  that 
I  must  have  a  letter  or  two  from  you  in  that  mail. 

The  order  for  the  commencement  of  our  march 
into  the  interior  is  issued.  Genl.  Twiggs  starts 
to-morrow  with  the  2nd  Division.  Genl.  Patterson 
follows  the  next  day  with  two  Brigades  of  Vols.  He 
leaves  one  brigade  of  Vols.  and  the  Tennessee  dismounted 
Cavalry  until  the  arrival  of  their  horses.  Genl. 
Twiggs  and  Genl.  Patterson  will  each  have  forty-five 
wagons  for  their  commands.  Every  man  takes  forty 
rounds  of  ammunition  and  five  days'  rations  of  hard 
bread,  and  bacon  and  pork  (cooked)  for  two  days.  As 
this  order  omits  all  mention  of  us,  I  presume  that 
we  stand  fast  till  some  of  their  wagons  going  with 
their  Divisions  return,  when  we  shall  move  honored 
with  the  presence  of  our  gallant  General. 

I  thought  till  this  morning  that  my  old  friend,  Dr. 
Harney,  was  to  remain,  but  Dr.  Porter  now  tells  me 
that  he  thinks  that  he,  Dr.  P.,  will  have  to  remain,  as 
Dr.  H.  thinks  the  mountain  air  necessary  for  his  health. 
The  Dr.  has  not  been  well  since  he  has  been  in  this 
country.  I  am  afraid  that  he  is  breaking  down.  If 
Dr.  Porter  leaves  the  3rd  Arty.  I  presume  that  Dr. 
Cuyler,  who  has  been  medical  purveyor  till  recently, 
will  take  charge  of  us.  Dr.  Wright  may  remain;  Dr. 
Porter  says  he  is  half  inclined  to  do  so. 

Poor  Col.  Bankhead  has  relinquished  command, 
and  is  to  sail  home  to-morrow,  with  the  cannon  and 
flags.  Genl.  Scott  sends,  I  think,  twelve  beautiful 
bronze  cannon.  One  I  selected  for  West  Point.  I  do 
hope  it  will  be  sent  there;  its  date  is  1685,  "Le  Mor- 
dicant"  beautifully  chased,  etc.  Col.  B.'s  departure 
places  our  Brigade  under  the  command  of  Col.  G , 


I24          An  Artillery  Officer 

— th.  Infy.,  a  man  deservedly  unpopular  with  his 
officers,  notoriously  setting  a  bad  immoral  example 
to  his  juniors.  Genl.  Scott,  whom  I  have  not  seen  since 
the  surrender,  looked  very  well  when  I  last  saw  him. 

If  to-morrow  be  not  too  excessively  hot,  I  propose 
going  into  the  City  for  a  short  time.  I  have  very 
little  curiosity.  Many  have  spoken  of  the  marks  of  ruin 
they  have  seen,  of  the  vast  amount  of  public  stores, 
etc.,  to  be  seen,  but  I  care  for  none  of  these  things. 
If  I  could  find  any  little  mementoes  and  had  a  favorable 
opportunity  of  sending  them  to  you  I  would  move  as 
briskly  about  it  as  any  of  them. 

I  heard  this  morning  that  Major  Talcott  had  been 
importuning  Col.  Bankhead  to  make  special  mention 
of  his  services  in  the  trenches.  I  would  cut  my  tongue 
out  before  I  would  allow  it  to  commit  so  great  an  act 
of  indelicacy.  Col.  B.  will  not,  I  hope,  do  it.  He  has 
already  been  induced  to  insert  the  names  of  two  Top. 
Engineers,  who  were  at  one  of  the  Batteries,  mentioned 
because  they  volunteered,  not  because  they  did  as 
much  or  more  than  others.  The  fact  is,  that  at  the 
Batteries  there  was  but  little  room  for  individual  dis 
tinction.  I  will  now  lay  this  down  for  to-night. 

Night.  Capt.  De  Hart  came  in  at  dusk,  and  has  just 
left;  it  is  now  too  late  for  me  to  add  much  to  my  letter. 
I  find  from  the  Capt.  that  the  Govt.  patronized  him 
in  the  publication  of  his  work  on  Courts-Martial,  by 
taking  one  hundred  copies!  Col.  Bankhead  is  to  leave 
in  the  morning,  but  at  what  hour  I  cannot  learn.  Lt. 
Andrews  will  go  to  the  City  in  the  morning,  and  I  will, 
unless  I  hear  that  the  Col.  sails  either  late  in  the  day 
or  not  until  the  next  day,  give  him  this  letter.  Good 
night.  May  God  bless  and  protect  you.  Bonsoir. 


In  Mexico  125 

April  8th. 

A  friend  waits  for  my  letter.  I  must  close  it  for  fear 
of  missing  this  mail.  Nothing  new,  Genl.  Twiggs  is 
moving.  Good-night.  Love  to  Father  and  all  the 
family. 

No.  3.    CAMP  NEAR  VERA  CRUZ,  MEX. 

April  8,  1847.     Night. 

My  letter  closed  this  morning.  I  hope  was  in  time 
for  the  mail,  though  I  am  a  little  apprehensive  that 
my  old  friend,  Col.  Bankhead,  left  too  early.  The 
least  delay  on  the  part  of  the  gentleman  entrusted 
with  it  must  have  caused  it  to  miss  a  mail.  I  do  not, 
however,  attach  as  much  importance  to  my  letters  now 
being  too  late  for  mails,  as  I  know  that  your  heart 
has  been  relieved  of  a  heavy  load  by  the  reception 
of  my  letters  announcing  the  progress  and  termination 
of  the  siege. 

During  the  Siege,  or  at  any  time  previous,  and 
subsequent  to  my  arrival,  when  I  knew  how  important 
it  was  that  you  should  hear  from  me  regularly  and 
frequently,  I  regarded  the  chance  of  missing  a  mail 
as  a  very  serious  affair.  Now,  you  should  have 
nothing  on  your  mind  to  worry  about.  I  am  about 
leaving  the  seaboard  to  go  to  a  place  as  notoriously 
healthy  as  any  in  the  world.  Even  had  I  been  or 
dered  to  remain  here,  I  think  by  prudence  I  might 
have  remained  and  got  through  the  summer  safely. 
I  have  not  attempted  a  description  of  Vera  Cruz  be 
cause  really  I  have  seen  nothing  of  it.  A  detail  as 
member  of  a  Genl.  Court-Martial  will  take  me  there 
to-morrow  and  many  consecutive  days :  so  that  I  shall 
perforce  learn  something  of  it,  and  will  give  you  such 


126  An  Artillery  Officer 

sketches  as  I  think  interesting.  I  had  intended  writing 
a  good  long  letter  to-night,  but  was  interrupted  by  the 
arrival  of  Major  Graham  and  two  other  gentlemen 
who  spent  the  evening  with  me.  I  must  now  close, 
as  the  night  is  far  advanced. 

NOTE.  The  Genl.  Court-Martial  has  been  ordered 
to  meet  in  our  Camp. 

April  9th. 

Reasonably  good  news  from  Washington,  as  the 
President  has,  in  his  benevolence,  condescended  to 
give  to  friend  Capt.  Charles  P.  Smith,  two  brevets. 
He  is  now  a  Bvt.  Lt.  Col.,  a  very  slight  reward  for 
his  many  gallant  acts. 

I  have  been  so  long  engaged  in  Court-Martial 
duties  to-day,  having  finished  the  trial  of  three  officers 
(for  not  very  serious  breaches  of  discipline),  that  I 
feel  very  little  like  writing  and  will  retire  very  soon, 
hoping  that  we  may  not  be  so  much  pressed  to-morrow, 
as  I  shall  then  make  a  respectable  addition  to  my  letter. 
I  fear  however  that  the  visit  contemplated  in  the  first 
part  of  this  letter  must  be  deferred  till  our  return  from 
Jalapa,  as  I  think  we  have  cases  enough  to  be  tried 
to  engage  us  during  the  time  we  are  to  remain  here. 

Before  closing,  to  shew  you  the  variety  we  have  in 
our  reports,  I  will  give  you  yesterday's  and  to-day's 
reports.  Yesterday,  Jalapa  and  Puebla  de  los  Angeles 
declared  their  independence  of  the  Central  Govt.  and 
have  determined  to  treat  for  peace.  To-day,  Santa 
Anna  is  at  the  Flat  Mountain  between  Jalapa  and 
Puebla  with  an  army.  Good-night,  and  may  God 
bless  you. 

April  loth.     Saturday  Night. 

Hearing  this  morning  that  a  steamboat  was  to  leave 


In  Mexico  I27 

for  New  Orleans  to-day,  and  not  having  time  to  finish 
my  letter,  I  enclosed  and  forwarded  this  morning's 
paper.  On  the  Court-Martial  we  have  made  great 
progress  to-day,  as  we  concluded  the  cases  of  the  two 
officers  who  were  to  make  their  defences  this  morning, 
and  tried  twelve  soldiers;  most  of  them  plead  guilty 
and  their  cases  were  so  simple  as  to  leave  no  room 
for  consideration  or  doubt. 

This  afternoon  I  strolled  into  town  for  an  hour, 
but  by  the  time  I  searched  the  part  where  the  fashion 
able  shops  are,  it  had  become  so  dark  that  I  could 
not  see.  I  did  not  see  anything  curious  or  rare  in 
the  shops  I  was  in,  and  what  I  priced  was  extravagantly 
high.  They  are  determined  to  make  us  pay  dearly  for 
our  whistle.  I  do  not  blame  them;  it  will  absorb  all 
the  profits  of  their  stores  for  years,  to  repair  the  damage 
we  have  done  them.  Never,  never  do  I  wish  to  be  one 
of  a  besieging  army  again.  And  faith,  I  have  no  great 
desire  to  be  one  of  the  army  besieged! 

Though  much  has  been  done  to  cleanse  the  streets, 
they  are  yet  filthy.  Our  Surgeons  are  busy  estab 
lishing  a  general  hospital  here.  The  Army  moves 
with  so  little  transportation,  that  we  have  to  leave 
our  sick  behind.  Dr.  Porter  says  that  he  will  send 
them  to  their  companies  by  the  earliest  opportunities 
after  we  leave.  In  some  of  the  companies  in  camp, 
there  is  a  good  deal  of  sickness — some  of  the  cases  have 
proved  fatal.  Thus  far  we  have  had  no  dangerous 
cases;  all  of  my  men  will,  I  am  convinced,  recover  as 
soon  as  I  can  get  them  into  the  mountainous  region. 

I  have  heard  no  camp  news  about  Santa  Anna 
since  yesterday.  To-morrow,  we  should  hear  from 
Genl.  Twiggs's  Brigade;  we  certainly  shall  if  he  hears 
of  an  opposing  or  a  threatening  force. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

Bvt.  Major  Backus,  commanding  Ulua,  has,  by  the 
working  of  some  fifty  Mexicans,  succeeded  in  making 
it  a  much  cleaner  and  more  habitable  place  than  it  was 
when  we  were  in  it,  but,  bless  him,  he  will  be  unable  to 
remove  either  the  fleas  or  the  bedbugs ;  the  latter,  I  find, 
colonized  very  extensively  in  my  bedding,  whilst  we 
were  there.  I  think  of  sending  some  of  these  Ulua  curi 
osities  to  Washington.  To-morrow  being  Sunday  I  will, 
if  the  day  be  not  too  warm  and  I  can  conveniently 
leave  camp,  go  to  one  of  the  churches  in  the  City. 
Good-night. 

Sunday,  nth.    Morning. 

Yesterday  a  negro  fellow  was  hung  for  a  heinous 
offence,  having  been  tried  and  sentenced  by  a  Milty. 
Commission,  composed  exclusively  of  Vol.  officers. 
The  man  was  a  servant  to  a  Vol.  officer.  This  morning 
two  Mexicans  are  found,  one  dead  and  the  other 
nearly  so.  This  devilish  deed  was  undoubtedly  per 
petrated  by  some  scoundrels  among  the  Volunteers 
as  a  repayment  for  the  loss  of  the  negro.  I  sincerely 
hope  the  perpetrators  of  this  act  may  be  brought  to 
punishment. 

The  morning  is  so  warm  that  I  have  no  intention 
of  attempting  my  visit  to  church  in  town  to-day. 
I  have  therefore  gone  through  with  an  hour  Sunday 
routine  of  readings  (reading  my  part  distinctly  and 
your  part  silently),  and  after  a  loll  of  an  hour  am  now 
ready  for  the  duties  of  the  day. 

In  town  yesterday  I  met  one  of  Genl.  Worth's 
A.  D.  C.s  who  said  that  Genl.  Worth  spoke  of  our 
Commands  moving  to-day  or  to-morrow,  as  there 
are  not  one  quarter  wagons  enough  here  to  move  with 
the  limitation  of  baggage  already  imposed.  I  do  not 


In  Mexico  I29 

think  it  possible  for  us  to  march.  I  doubt  if  we  can 
leave  earlier  than  the  I5th  inst.  One  Brigade  of 
Vols.  and  one  Regt.  still  remain;  they  should  march 
before  we  do,  as  they  belong  to  a  Division  already 
on  the  road. 

The  Doctor  has  just  sent  six  of  "  G"  Co.  to  the  Genl. 
Hospital  in  the  City.  Cramer  (the  husband  of  the 
pretty  woman  who  came  with  the  recruits)  is  the  only 
married  man  among  them.  His  wife  has,  I  believe, 
left  Tampa  Bay,  with  Mrs.  Hannel  and  Mrs.  Devit, 
for  Tampico.  I  advised  Howard  to  tell  his  wife  to 
remain  where  she  is.  Women  are,  as  I  anticipated, 
a  great  plague  to  their  Captains  in  the  field.  So 
little  transportation  is  allowed,  that  if  permitted  to 
accompany  the  troops  they  must  purchase  or  steal 
some  poor  horse  or  ass  to  carry  their  baggage.  A 
woman  with  one  child  can  thus  get  on  tolerably  well, 
but  when  they  have  more,  they  soon  find  it  impossible 
to  move  in  that  way,  and  are  left  or  sent  back  by  some 
return  train  to  some  large  depot. 

No  mail  yet.  I  fear  that  some  of  your  letters  are 
lost,  as  I  hear  that  one  of  the  vessels  wrecked  on  the 
beach  near  our  first  camp,  on  the  26th  March,  con 
tained  a  large  mail.  Lt.  Thomas  has  stopped  in  to 
inform  me  that  Major  Wade  has  arrived.  1  hope  that 
the  change  from  Tampico  to  this  place  will  be  agreeable 
to  the  Major.  I  do  not  think  that  he  will  take  a  very 
violent  liking  to  our  Lt.  Col.  who  is  occasionally  as 
unamiable  as  he  sometimes  shews  himself  in  the  com 
pany  of  his  amiable  spouse. 

The  addition  of  the  Major's  Compy.  to  our  little 
battalion  is  very  acceptable,  as  we  were  too  small  to 
be  respectable  in  so  large  a  command.  I  will  now 
make  my  bow  until  this  afternoon. 


130  An  Artillery  Officer 

Night.  Major  Wade  has  arrived;  his  Compy.  has 
taken  its  position  in  our  Camp.  Lt.  Johnson  is  with 
him;  he  looks  very  well,  and  will,  I  hope,  continue  to 
think  himself  so.  The  order  is  out  and  been  received 
by  us,  for  our  march  to-morrow.  The  order  designates 
twelve  for  the  hour  of  march,  so  I  presume  that  we  will 
not  make  more  than  nine  or  ten  miles. 

I  hear  that  Genl.  Twiggs  sends  word  back  that  Genl. 
Santa  Anna  is  fortifying  himself  at  some  position  this 
side  of  Jalapa.  I  can  scarcely  credit  the  opinion  that 
he  seriously  intends  giving  us  a  fair,  good  fight.  If  he 
be  there,  it  may  be  with  the  view  of  making  a  show  of 
defence  and  then  entering  into  terms  with  us.  God 
grant  that  this  may  be  the  case,  as  blood  enough  has  cer 
tainly  been  shed  to  satisfy  the  honor  of  both  Nations, 
and  a  treaty  formed  at  an  early  date  would  restore  the 
most  of  us  to  our  families  very  early  this  fall,  and  per 
haps  some  Companies  would  be  sent  home  at  once. 

Report  says  that  Santa  Anna  has  his  cabinet  with 
him,  and  that  Genl.  Labrega  is  also  there.  Why  his 
Cabinet  is  there  would  be  a  question  worthy  of  con 
sideration  were  it  certainly  true. 

The  afternoons  are  sufficiently  pleasant;  as  at  St. 
Augustine  the  hottest  part  of  the  day  is  in  the  morning, 
say  from  seven  till  nine;  after  these  hours  by  keeping 
out  of  the  sun  the  temperature  is  very  agreeably 
pleasant. 

Genl.  Scott  will,  I  presume,  either  accompany  us 
to-morrow,  or  follow  us  the  next  day.  On  every 
account  it  is  highly  important  that  we  should  move 
towards  the  mountains.  One  reason  that  we  get 
off  earlier  than  I  anticipated  is  that  over  two  hundred 
mules  arrived  to-day,  thus  giving  us  unexpected 
addition  to  our  means  for  transportation,  and  again 


In  Mexico 


our  Division  moves  before  some  of  the  Vols.  left  here 
by  Genl.  Patterson's  Division. 

I  omitted  mentioning  the  arrival  of  Capt.  Winder, 
who  landed  this  evening  with  his  Compy.  of  twenty- 
eight  men.  He  finds  a  detachment  of  recruits  from 
which  he  will,  I  hope,  fill  his  Compy.  I  have  not 
seen  him  —  indeed  our  Army  covers  so  much  ground  that 
I  do  not  attempt  visiting  any  one.  We  meet  our 
friends  occasionally  on  duty,  or  I  see  them  as  they  pass 
my  tent  going  to,  or  returning  from  town. 

As  I  may  have  an  opportunity  of  finishing  this 
sheet  to-morrow  before  the  hour  of  starting,  when  there 
may  be  something  of  interest  to  add,  I  will  only  en 
croach  further  by  bidding  you  good-night.  I  must  look 
to  a  judicious  reduction  of  my  baggage.  The  allowance 
is,  however,  more  liberal  than  was  anticipated,  as  one 
wagon  is  allowed  to  each  Company. 

April  1  2th.     At  night. 

We  are  now  reduced  to  our  travelling  allowance  of 
tents,  etc.  Our  Camp  presents  a  singularly  scattered 
appearance,  each  camp,  where  two  hours  since  there 
was  a  full  allowance  of  wall  and  common  tents,  now 
formed  with  only  three  small  tents.  Our  baggage 
will  soon  follow.  So  large  an  army  requires  a  very 
large  train  for  the  transportation  of  its  ordinary 
supplies.  I  have  retained  as  many  of  my  comforts  as 
I  could  reasonably,  seeing  how  little  accommodation 
was  allowed  for  the  men.  My  camp  bed,  mosquito 
bar,  and  trunk,  with  the  morning  gown,  old  cloak,  and 
big  boots  go  with  me.  My  library  is  not  very  large  —  • 
my  two  Sunday  books  and  one  Vol.  of  Tactics  con 
stitute  all. 

Thank  God  I  have  received  a  letter  from  you  dated 


An  Artillery  Officer 

March  I2th.  But,  my  wife,  you  imagine  a  thousand 
dangers,  and  our  Heavenly  Father  leads  me  unharmed 
through  all  to  which  I  am  really  exposed.  I  think  after 
having  received  news  of  our  almost  bloodless  victory 
here,  that  you  cannot  but  place  entire  confidence  in 
that  God  who  has  so  constantly  heaped  his  blessings 
on  both  of  us. 

Look  around  us  and  see  how  many  are,  though  labor 
ing  under  heavy  afflictions,  bearing  up  cheerfully 
under  circumstances  which  would  seem  to  leave  them 
no  room  for  hope.  They  are  frequently  rewarded 
for  their  great  faith  in  this  world,  and  look,  with  as 
surance  to  their  better  reward  hereafter.  I  would 
not  have  you  conceal  your  feelings  from  me;  on  the 
contrary,  I  feel  happier  in  knowing  that  you  describe 
your  feelings  as  they  really  are,  than  I  would  be  to 
detect  your  attempt  to  conceal  them.  Think  of  all 
that  has  really  passed,  see  how  many  dangers  your 
love  has  conjured  up,  and  despond  no  more. 

To-morrow  we  leave  for  a  healthy  region,  where  all 
the  invalids  will  rapidly  recover.  Be  not  uneasy  at 
paragraphs  you  may  read  in  the  papers  about  the 
Army.  You  may  not  hear  from  me  as  frequently 
as  you  have  hitherto,  but  I  shall  write  by  every  op 
portunity.  And  now  be  of  good  cheer,  and  rely 
upon  our  Heavenly  Father.  We  make  a  very  early 
start  to-morrow,  and  I  must  close  to-night.  That 
God  will  continue  to  guard  and  bless  you  I  sincerely 
pray. 

1 3th,  four- thirty  A.M.  Packed  and  ready  for  a  start. 
Genl.  Twiggs  writes  word  that  he  thinks  he  will  reach 
Jalapa — this  shows  that  there  is  not  much  to  be  appre 
hended  from  the  expected  opposition.  Good  morning. 

Mr.  Thomas  and  Maj.  Graham  beg  to  be  remembered. 


In  Mexico 


No.  5.  *    CAMP  ABOUT  SIXTEEN  MILES  FROM 
LA  PUENTE  NACIONAL, 

April  1  4th. 

I  believe  that  my  No.  (5)  is  correct,  the  last  I 
wrote  the  morning  of  our  departure  from  Vera 
Cruz.  Yesterday  (our  first  day's  march)  was  a  very 
severe  one.  Leaving  about  half  past  five  A.M.  we 
marched  along  the  beach,  say  about  two  and  a  half  miles, 
and  then  turning  perpendicularly  to  the  left  marched 
through  heavy  sand  hills,  a  deep  hot  road,  about  three 
and  a  half  miles  to  our  first  watering  place.  The  day,  or 
rather  that  period  of  it  in  which  we  executed  the  latter 
part  of  our  march,  was  excessively  close  and  hot. 

The  country  was  a  succession  of  cups  of  sand;  the 
only  redeeming  thing  about  this  part  of  the  march, 
was  that  we  heard  the  sweet,  sometimes  plaintive, 
sometimes  cheerful  notes  of  the  birds  in  the  recesses 
of  the  glades.  Here  we  halted  sometimes,  but  the 
men  had  become  so  much  exhausted  that  by  the  time 
we  reached  our  encamping  ground,  say  eighteen  miles 
from  Santa  Cruz,  nearly  one  half  of  the  men  were 
absent.  Some  soon  ,came  up,  but  at  tattoo,  many 
had  not  yet  arrived.  To-day  in  consequence  of  the  dis 
ordered  state  of  the  Command,  we  have  only  marched 
nine  miles.  Enough  of  this  march  for  the  present. 

I  acknowledge,  with  cheerful  gratitude  to  God,  the 
receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  i8th.  The  letter  is  in 
much  better  spirits  than  its  predecessor  and  cheered 
me  greatly,  I  assure  you.  I  wish  your  letters  to 
indicate  exactly  your  feelings,  and  I  can  then  know 
how  you  really  are.  You  distress  me  much  more  by 
an  attempt  to  conceal  what  I  know  full  well  you  feel, 
than  a  full  and  frank  disclosure  does. 

1  No.  4  is  missing. 


134  An  Artillery  Officer 

Our  camp  is  surrounded  by  some  of  the  most  beauti 
ful  flowers  I  ever  saw.  I  send  in  this  a  few  lilac  flowers 
growing  on  a  large  vine  which  overhangs  my  tent. 
I  have  collected  some  seed.  The  favorite  of  our 
Florida  home  grows  here  in  great  variety,  but  I  do  not 
find  any  as  sweet  as  those  (opopanax)  you  used  to 
collect  at  Tampa  Bay. 

The  road  to-day  has  been  hilly,  the  hollows  however 
not  rich;  we  passed  Genl.  Santa  Anna's  residence 
about  three  miles  back,  a  fine  field  of  corn  was  growing 
near  it.  I  merely  had  a  glimpse  of  the  house — a  large 
white  one  with  tiled  roof.  His  Excellency  owns  the 
country  on  both  sides  the  road  from  about  nine  miles 
this  side  Vera  Cruz  to  the  City  of  Jalapa;  he  owns  a 
good  deal  of  bad  land. 

We  learned  from  some  persons  returning  from  Genl. 
Twiggs's  Brigade,  that  he  intended  attacking  Genl. 
Santa  Anna  at  nine  o'clock  this  morning.  I  expect  that 
he  will  think  better  of  it  and  wait  for  us  to  come  up. 
Major  Genl.  Patterson  has  not  yet  come  up,  Genl.  Pillow 
is  with  Genl.  T.  They  may  decide  upon  making 
a  bold  stroke  for  glory  before  we  reach  them.  Genl. 
Scott  who  has  gone  ahead  of  us  will  probably  reach 
the  advance  early  to-morrow,  when  the  decision  will 
be  made  by  him.  I  have  this  moment  finished  my 
dinner  and  tea.  The  twilight  is  so  short  here  that 
I  must  close  as  it  is  now  nearly  dark.  We  start  at 
early  dawn  in  the  morning.  Good-night. 

CAMP  ABOUT  1 6  MILES  FROM  LA  PUENTE  NACIONAL. 

EL  PLAN  DEL  Rio. 
April  1 5th. 

Twenty  minutes  to  five  P.M.  An  early  start  with 
a  well-conducted  march  brought  us  to  our  present 


In  Mexico  J35 

camp,  at  the  National  Bridge,  before  twelve  o'clock. 
The  Brigade  would  have  advanced  farther,  but  as  no 
water  could  be  obtained  until  we  reached  Genl.  Twiggs's 
camp,  sixteen  miles,  and  as  Lt.  Col.  Duncan  stated  that 
his  horses  could  not  go  so  far  without  water  after  a 
morning's  march,  it  was  determined  to  halt  here. 

1 7th.  Thus  far  had  I  written  day  before  yesterday, 
when  I  went  to  visit  an  old  fortification  intended  to 
command  the  approaches  to  the  bridge.  The  fort  is 
an  old  one  on  a  high  hill,  the  side  towards  the  river 
and  our  camp  is  inaccessible,  the  other  side  pretty 
well  defended  by  musketry  fires.  This  place  we  learn 
had  been  furnished  with  eight  pieces  of  Arty,  which 
were  withdrawn  the  day  before  Genl.  Twiggs  left  for 
Jalapa.  The  scenery  at  the  bridge  is  beautiful,  com 
bining  enough  of  the  grand  to  make  it  interesting  to 
all  classes  of  admirers  of  scenery.  The  bridge  is  like 
all  of  the  Spanish  works  of  art  constructed  during  their 
stay  in  this  country,  well  executed  and  on  a  magni 
ficent  scale. 

At  tattoo.  The  Brigade  received  orders  to  march  at 
one  A.M.  this  morning.  Reveille  was  beat  at  twelve 
and  the  men  were  formed  at  the  appointed  time. 
After  some  time,  a  Staff  Officer  came  up  with  directions 
to  allow  the  men  to  take  what  rest  they  could.  Every 
thing  being  packed,  very  little  rest  was  taken. 

At  half -past  four  yesterday  afternoon  we  took  up 
our  camp  to  march  six  miles  to  camp.  We  marched 
that  distance,  and  were  told  whilst  continuing  our 
march,  that  as  we  could  not  get  to  water,  the  Com 
mand  must  march  to  the  camp  of  Generals  Twiggs 
and  Pillow.  We  had  a  most  fatiguing  march,  night 
marches  are  necessarily  so,  but  this  was  rendered  par- 


'36          An  Artillery  Officer 

ticularly  so  from  the  officers  and  men  having  been  de 
prived  of  their  rest  the  preceding  night,  and  from  the 
fact  of  their  not  having  filled  their  canteens  for  a 
long  march. 

We  arrived  here,  say  eighteen  miles,  at  twenty 
minutes  to  two  this  morning.  At  eight  this  morning 
a  command  was  sent  to  occupy  a  hill  which  commands 
some  of  the  enemy's  batteries.  The  hill  was  found 
occupied  by  the  enemy,  but  they  were  driven  from  it 
by  Col.  Harney;  three  officers  were  wounded — Major 
Sumner,  2nd  Dragoons,  slightly  in  the  head,  Lt.  Maury 
left  arm  with  bones  broken  below  the  elbow,  Lt.  May 
and  another  officer  are  also  wounded. 

To-morrow  morning  we  are  under  orders  to  advance. 
As  our  men  will  have,  I  hope,  a  good  night's  rest,  I 
feel  confident  of  their  doing  good  duty.  I  shall  write 
you  the  earliest  moment,  if  by  the  continued  blessing 
of  God,  my  life  be  spared.  I  place  as  ever  all  my  trust 
in  Him  who  has  thus  far  saved  me  in  numberless  dan 
gers.  As  I  must  be  fresh  I  will  now  retire  to  rest, 
praying  our  Heavenly  Father  to  protect  and  guard 
my  wife  and  that  He  will  soon  receive  you  into  the 
little  select  flock  constituting  His  church  elect  upon 
this  earth.  The  name  of  our  camp  is  "Camp  near 
El  Plan  del  Rio." 


PORTALEZA  NACIONAL  DE  SAN  CARLOS  DE  PEROTE. 

Thursday,  April  22nd. 

Since  the  preceding  was  written  I  have  been  so  con 
stantly  and  sometimes  so  fatiguingly  engaged  that  I 
did  not  have  an  opportunity  of  sending  my  letter 
immediately  after  the  fight  of  the  eighteenth,  and  this 
is  the  first  mail  of  the  departure  of  which  we  have  been 


In  Mexico  J37 

notified,  and  now  I  shall  be  so  pressed  for  time  that  I 
shall  have  but  half  an  opportunity  of  scribbling  a  few 
lines. 

The  newspapers  will,  I  fear,  long  since  have  informed 
you  of  the  heavy  losses  sustained  by  us  at  the  battle 
of  Cerro  Gordo.  The  number  of  killed  and  wounded 
is  probably  not  far  from  500.  One  of  my  young 
friends,  Lt.  Dana,  7th  Infy.,  is,  I  fear,  dangerously 
wounded.  I  was  not  in  the  engagement,  as  by  some 
mismanagement  we  were  delayed,  and  work  intended 
for  us  was  done  by  the  2nd  and  yth  Infys.  The  enemy 
was  completely  routed,  leaving  in  our  possession  thirty- 
five  pieces  of  cannon,  about  6000  prisoners,  small  arms 
and  ammunition  of  all  kinds  in  the  greatest  abundance. 

The  position  occupied  by  the  enemy  was  a  very 
strong  one.  I  may  say  that  had  we  moved  along  the 
road  to  the  attack,  their  position  could  not  have  been 
carried  by  our  forces;  but  Genl.  Scott,  by  judiciously 
turning  the  flank  of  their  main  batteries,  and  carrying 
by  assault  a  high  battery  in  the  rear,  which  commanded 
their  advanced  works,  saved  the  lives  of  our  men  and 
conquered. 

These  works  were  carried,  and  the  battle  over  by 
half-past  ten.  The  enemy  ran  in  such  disorder  as 
to  leave  behind  and  on  the  road  all  their  muskets  and 
even  their  eatables.  Had  Genl.  Scott's  orders  been 
complied  with,  not  one  of  the  enemy  would  have 
escaped. 

We  are  now  in  the  celebrated  Castle  of  Perote  where 
Genl.  Santa  Anna  and  other  patriots  have  been  oc 
casionally  confined.  We  shall  remain  a  few  days 
before  advancing.  Every  soldier  had  left  this  place, 
though  it  is  a  very  strong  one.  Let  us  unite  in  thanking 
God  with  all  our  hearts  for  His  continued  protec- 


138  An  Artillery  Officer 

tion.     I  must  close  as  it  is  so  dark  that  I  can  scarcely 
see. 

No.  6.    FORTRESS  OF  PEROTE. 

Friday,  April  23rd. 

I  closed  my  letter  so  hurriedly  last  evening,  that 
I  fear  some  portions  of  it  were  illegible,  if  not  un 
intelligible.  I  think  that  in  this,  I  will  go  back,  and 
take  you  over  the  parts  of  our  road  so  unceremon 
iously  run  over.  I  mentioned,  I  think,  that  Genl. 
Twiggs's  Division  was  ordered  to  take  a  height  which 
had  been  found  unoccupied  by  the  enemy,  and  one 
which  commanded  one  or  two  of  the  batteries  of  the 
enemy. 

The  enemy,  it  seems,  discovered  their  mistake  in 
not  having  fortified  this  hill,  and  were  found  by  the 
Division  in  large  force  upon  it.  It  was  gallantly 
carried  by  Col.  Harney,  with  some  loss  on  our  side, 
and  it  is  now  reported,  a  loss  of  174  on  the  part  of 
the  enemy. 

This  was  the  engagement  of  the  1 7th  which  Santa 
Anna  has  the  impudence  to  claim  as  a  victory.  The 
1st  Brigade  received  orders  on  the  evening  of  the  I7th 
to  march  at  early  dawn  on  the  morning  of  the  i8th 
(Sunday,  I  am  sorry  to  say).  Oar  Brigade,  2nd  and 
3rd  Arty,  and  4th  Infy.  were  ordered  to  support  the 
attack  on  the  enemy's  battery. 

The  road  from  Battery  No.  I  to  No.  3,  is  cut  out  of 
the  solid  rock.  The  bank  on  the  left  side  of  the  road 
in  the  rear  of  this  part  of  it  is  too  steep  in  many  places 
for  a  man  to  go  down  to  the  water's  edge;  the  little 
stream  runs  nearly  parallel  to  the  road.  This  may 
give  you  some  faint  idea  of  the  ground,  etc.  As  I  was 
so  busily  occupied  the  day  of,  and  the  day  subsequent 


In  Mexico  J39 

to  the  engagement,  that  I  could  not  inspect  the  posi 
tions,  I  have  been  compelled  to  rely  for  my  sketch 
on  the  information  of  others.  The  sketch  is  perhaps 
wrong  in  some  points,  but  may  on  the  whole  be  regarded 
as  sufficiently  accurate  for  a  non-military  reader. 

We  left  our  Camp  early  the  morning  of  the  1 8th 
and  halted  when  the  head  of  our  column  had  reached 
the  ranch  C,  for  the  Vols.  under  Genl.  Pillow  to  come 
up.  They  halted  a  moment  near  us,  when  Col.  Haskell 
of  Tenn.  gave  his  men  a  spirited  address.  They  then 
filed,  by  heads  of  companies,  into  the  woods  and  we 
resumed  our  advance,  a  portion  of  Lt.  Col.  Duncan's 
Battery  in  front  of  us.  We  turned  off  the  main  road 
to  our  right  at  D,  and  had  proceeded  but  a  short  dis 
tance  when  we  heard  sharp  musketry  firing  on  our  left ; 
this  was  Pillow's  Brigade  engaged  with  the  enemy. 

This  Brigade  fell  back,  and  Genl.  Pillow  sent  a  staff 
officer  to  Genl.  Scott  to  request  that  some  Regulars 
be  sent  to  him.  He  is  a  brave  man  and  was  deeply 
mortified ;  he  was  wounded. 

In  a  short  time  the  road  became  so  rough  and  steep 
that  we  were  delayed  more  than  half  an  hour  in  taking 
two  of  the  guns  up  a  steep  hill  in  the  road.  Hear 
ing  cannon  firing  in  our  front  and  it  being  found  that 
Duncan's  battery  could  not  be  taken  forward  in  time 
for  us  to  participate  in  the  fight,  we  were  ordered  to 
the  front. 

The  enemy  now  discovered  us  and  threw  a  few  shot 
and  shell  at  us.  No  one  was  injured.  Staff  Officers 
now  galloped  back  and  called  on  us  to  advance,  as  we 
were  very  much  wanted.  Now  commenced  the  most 
fatiguing  work  I  ever  had.  The  fire  become  very 
lively  in  every  direction,  and  we  had  to  gain  our 
position  on  the  hill  where  Battery  No.  5  was  situated. 


140  An  Artillery  Officer 

With  men  exhausted  by  the  heat  and  exertion  of  run 
ning,  we  struck  the  base  of  the  hill,  our  troops  calling 
for  us  to  advance  and  the  Mexicans  calling  on  their 
side  for  reinforcements. 

Before  we  reached  the  top  our  colors  were  flying 
on  the  flag  staff,  the  hill  had  been  taken.  Duncan's 
Battery  had  kept  us  out  of  the  battle.  The  Brigade 
under  Genl.  Shields  had  divided,  a  few  were  with  him 
in  his  attack  on  field  Battery  No.  6,  where  he  was 
mortally  wounded  by  a  grape  shot,  gallantly  leading; 
his  men  then  fell  back  and  received  a  second  discharge 
from  the  Battery  before  they  advanced  again. 

The  troops  in  Batteries  Nos.  2  and  3  were  now  sum 
moned  to  surrender;  they  asked  for  the  appointment 
of  commissioners  and  for  time.  They  were  told  that  if 
they  did  not  surrender  in  ten  minutes,  the  attack 
would  be  made  on  their  Battery.  We  had  now  our 
forces  in  Battery  No.  5,  whose  fire  turned  on  them 
would  soon  have  silenced  them.  They  surrendered 
five  Generals  and  about  5000  men. 

Genl.  Santa  Anna's  equipage,  and  about  $30,000 
in  his  chest,  were  found  in  or  near  his  tent;  his 
carriage  was  also  found,  he  having  left  the  battle 
field  early  that  morning  or  the  night  before.  An 
immense  supply  of  ammunition  for  Artillery  and  small 
Arms  was  found  in  caverns,  etc.,  near  the  batteries. 
The  field  was  strewn  with  the  dying  and  the  dead. 
The  hill  of  Battery  No.  5  presented  many  horrid  sights — 
I  never  want  to  see  such  again.  Our  men  gave  the 
poor  devils  what  water  they  could  spare  from  their 
nearly  exhausted  canteens.  Our  Surgeons  amputated 
the  arms  and  legs  of  some  of  the  wounded. 

The  action  was  over  by  half -past  ten  o'clock.  The 
remainder  of  the  day  was  employed  in  pursuit,  and  in 


In  Mexico 


collecting  the  wounded.  We  slept  that  night  near  the 
base  of  the  high  hill  No.  5,  the  Compy.  in  the  road, 
and  your  humble  servant  with  the  Adjt.  in  his  tent, 
pitched  on  the  right  of  the  road  at  the  spot  marked 
by  a  dot.  o 

Early  the  next  day  we  resumed  the  advance,  halted 
about  twelve  near  Genl.  Santa  Anna's  residence  —  that 
is,  one  of  his  residences,  called  "Encerro."  An  Officer 
was  stationed  here  by  Genl.  Patterson  or  Twiggs 
to  protect  the  property.  We  marched  about  12  miles 
farther  and  made  a  late  and  uncomfortable  encamp 
ment. 

The  next  day  we  reached  the  beautiful  and  celebrated 
City  of  Jalapa  (only  think  of  it,  nearly  all  the  jalap 
used  as  medicine  is  taken  from  this  place).  Marched 
our  dirty  and  wearied  troops  through  as  if  we  designed 
making  a  display,  halted  in  the  outskirts  of  the  City 
till  three  P.M.,  when  we  again  took  up  our  line  of  march 
leaving  the  2nd  Div.  in  that  City. 

We  encamped  that  night  near  a  large  cotton  factory  ; 
the  night  was  intensely  cold,  ice  formed  in  our  basins. 

Off  again  the  next  morning  early,  road  ascending  and 
rough  ;  about  eleven  we  came  to  a  village  at  the  entrance 
of  a  pass  which  they  had  commenced  fortifying,  but 
seized  by  the  panic  spread  by  the  runaways  from  the 
battle  of  Cerro  Gordo,  they  had  abandoned  it,  leaving 
seven  or  eight  pieces  of  cannon  on  the  ground.  This 
would  have  been  an  ugly  pass,  as  it  was  in  the  midst 
of  the  lava  of  an  old  volcano,  exceedingly  rough  and 
sharp  ;  its  rough  jagged  points  would  have  impeded  the 
advance  of  our  troops  and  kept  us  under  their  fire. 

Passing  over  this  volcanic  road,  we  soon  found 
ourselves  in  the  region  of  the  pine.  The  scenery  was 
exceedingly  grand  and  picturesque.  Encamped  that 


An  Artillery  Officer 

night  at  Las  Vegas,  water  excellent,  night  cold.  The 
next  day  we  entered  this  celebrated  work  early 
in  the  day,  the  troops  having  hastily  abandoned  it  the 
preceding  day.  We  are  now  in  the  region  of  the  cedar. 

PEROTE,  MEX. 
April  26,  1847. 

As  this  is  merely  a  note  to  inform  you  of  our  leaving 
this  place  this  morning  I  do  not  number  it  with  my 
regular  series.  I  have  a  letter  nearly  finished  in  my 
trunk  which  I  packed  thinking  I  would  have  an  opportun 
ity  of  mailing  it  from  our  point  of  destination,  but  as  a 
mail  may  leave  here  to-day  or  to-morrow,  I  regret  not 
having  kept  that  letter  out,  and  closing  it  here.  The 
drum  has  just  beat  for  the  assembling  of  the  1st 
Brigade.  To-day  we  march  about  eleven  miles,  to 
morrow  thirteen,  on  the  road  to  Puebla,  then  we  await 
further  orders.  Genl.  Scott  is  expected  here  to-day. 
The  news  from  the  Capital  told  by  the  diligence  yes 
terday  is  cheering.  Everybody  was  panic-struck  by 
the  reception  of  the  news  of  the  battle  of  the  i8th. 
Genl.  Santa  Anna  had  not  been  heard  from;  those 
formerly  most  "loud  for  War,"  now  talk  of  peace.  I 
must  now  close.  May  God  Almighty  bless  and  protect 
you. 

No.  6  continued.  The  preceding  sheet  I  had  written 
and  it  had  been  packed  away  in  my  trunk,  when  I 
penned  so  hastily  a  note  to  you  from  Perote  this  morn 
ing.  I  now  write  in  my  tent  at  our  Camp  about  eight 
miles  on  the  road  towards  Puebla.  We  must  not, 
however,  leave  Perote  without  devoting  a  few  lines  to 
remarks  upon  the  country  between  Jalapa  and  Perote 
and  also  to  its  celebrated  Castle. 


In  Mexico  *43 

Until  we  reached  Jalapa  we  saw  very  little  to  interest 
the  land  speculator.  At  Jalapa  everything  indicates 
a  richer,  better  soil;  the  land  is  well  situated  also  for 
cultivation.  You  see  here  along  the  roadside  as  well 
built  stone  fences  as  the  Yankees  boast  of.  The 
houses,  too,  are  better  built.  The  climate  also  seems, 
and  is  reputed  to  be,  delightful. 

A  rapid  ascent,  however,  soon  brings  you  into  a  region 
rather  cool  to  be  pleasant  to  those  who  come  up  rapidly 
from  the  hot  lands  of  Vera  Cruz.  The  land  is  rich, 
both  in  approaching  the  volcanic  stream  mentioned 
in  the  preceding  part  of  this  letter  and  after  leaving 
it.  The  scenery  is  beautiful,  regularly-sloped  hills 
rise  on  every  side,  and  in  the  distance  may  be  seen  the 
snow-covered  peak  of  Orizaba;  the  intervening  valley 
as  deep  rich  soil  as  to  be  found  anywhere;  corn,  oats, 
barley,  rye  grow  well  here,  peaches  and  cherries  were 
seen;  with  them  you  see  the  Agave  Americana  and 
other  plants  we  see  as  curiosities. 

At  Jalapa  the  coffee  bush  grows.  When  you  reach 
the  plain  of  Perote,  the  soil  is  evidently  less  rich  and 
shews  sand  and  clay.  The  town  of  Perote  has,  as 
far  as  I  can  ascertain  in  marching  through  one  of  its 
streets,  very  few  respectable-looking  houses. 

The  Fortaleza,  or  Castle  as  it  is  called,  is  situated 
on  a  plain,  about  half  a  mile  from  town.  The  main 
work  is  a  square,  surrounded  by  a  large  square,  the 
angles  of  which  are  bastioned,  the  whole  having  a 
ditch  around  it.  The  walls  of  the  inner  work  which 
form  the  exterior  walls  of  the  quarters  are  three  feet 
thick.  This  place  has  been  at  various  times  the  prison 
of  some  of  Mexico's  greatest  men.  The  turn  of  the 
political  wheel  has  taken  them  from  the  palace  to  this 
prison.  There  were  confined  the  Texan  prisoners. 


i44  An  Artillery  Officer 

In  the  Chapel  we  found  the  tomb  of  Mexico's  first 
President,  Genl.  Victoria.  Generals  Morales  and  Lan- 
dero  who  commanded  at  Vera  Cruz  were  released 
from  a  confinement  ordered  by  Genl.  Santa  Anna,  by 
the  evacuation  of  this  place  by  the  Mexican  troops. 
Genl.  Landero  had  a  conversation  of  about  an  hour's 
length  with  Genl.  Worth  since  we  came  here.  He 
wished  to  know  what  our  Govt.  desired.  He  says 
that  Santa  Anna  has  allied  himself  with  the  sans 
culottes,  that  the  better  instructed  class  desire  peace, 
that  if  the  United  States  do  not  press  too  hard  upon 
them,  and  can  only  save  Mexican  honor,  that  all  may 
yet  be  well.  He  says  that  the  last  battle  has  been 
fought.  It  is  now  becoming  dark  so  rapidly  that  I 
must  close.  God  bless  my  wife,  etc.,  etc. 

April  28th.  Tepayahualco.  Our  Brigade  is  accom 
panied  by  Duncan's  Battery  and  Lt.  Col.  Smith's 
Battalion  of  Light  Troops;  we  are  twenty-five  leagues 
(say  fifty-five  miles)  from  Puebla,  where  we  are,  I 
presume,  to  take  up  summer  quarters,  that  is  if  we  do 
not  go  on  to  Mexico.  For  really  our  being  here  is 
so  unexpected  to  me,  that  I  know  not  where  we  are  to 
stop.  Our  orders  are  to  remain  here  until  further 
orders. 

I  can  not  speak  positively  of  the  whereabouts  of 
Genl.  Scott,  or  of  the  other  Divisions.  One  Compy. 
of  our  Division  with  two  pieces  of  Arty,  under  Lt. 
H.  Brown,  were  left  at  our  Camp  of  yesterday,  the 
remainder  of  our  Division  was  left  under  Genl.  Worth 
at  Perote. 

Genl.  Scott  was  expected  to  reach  Perote  the  day 
after  we  left.  I  suppose  that  the  whole  Army  will 
gradually  come  on.  They  may  halt  at  Perote  and  at 


In  Mexico  J45 

some  other  places  for  the  coming  up  of  our  train  with 
provisions,  and  also  to  secure  and  obtain  supplies  from 
the  country.  Thus  far  everything  we  obtain  is  paid 
for  liberally,  probably  at  higher  prices  than  the  usual 
ones  of  the  country;  this  is  however  mere  conjecture. 
This  I  do  know,  that  individually  we  pay  enormously 
for  everything  we  purchase. 

We  are  now,  and  have  been  for  the  last  forty 
miles,  in  a  volcanic  country.  On  every  side  you  see 
the  uneven  and  jagged  peaks  of  old  volcanoes,  or  pass 
along  the  side  or  over  the  beds  formed  by  the  lava. 
These  volcanoes  have  not  been  extinguished  long 
enough  for  the  lava  to  become  sufficiently  decomposed 
to  support  vegetation,  and  consequently  we  rarely  see 
any  approach  to  a  tree. 

The  cactus  here  and  there  encroaches  up  the  jagged 
side  of  some  mountain.  We  are  beyond  the  growth 
of  cedar.  Orizaba  still  shews  us  his  white  head.  I 
hope  that  our  soldiers  will,  if  permitted  to  rest  here 
a  few  days,  get  well.  So  sudden  has  been  our  transition 
from  the  burning  sands  of  Vera  Cruz  to  the  cold  region, 
and  this  change  has  been  accompanied  by  so  much 
and  continued  exertion,  and  with  so  great  a  loss  of 
sleep,  that  our  Command  has  been  sadly  reduced. 
Ten  of  "G"  Co.  are  on  the  sick  report  to-day,  none 
seriously  sick.  Most  of  these  cases  have  been  in  fact 
produced  by  a  cause  I  have  not  enumerated,  viz., 
daily  change  of  the  kind  of  water  drunk. 

You  must  not  be  astonished  at  not  receiving  letters 
from  me  as  regularly  as  you  see  statements  of  our 
movements  published  in  the  papers.  Look  at  things 
as  they  now  are;  you  may  see  weekly  accounts  of 
Genl.  Scott's  being  with  the  Army  at  such  a  date ;  now, 
when  he  sends  his  mails  we  know  not.  Again  express 

10 


An  Artillery  Officer 

men  are  sent  back,  I  understand,  without  escorts, 
and  I  think  we  shall  soon  hear  of  some  being  killed. 
I  fear  that  in  that  way  we  shall  find  our  correspondence 
sadly  interfered  with. 

If  the  Mexicans  have  any  gallantry,  and  that  they 
have  has  long  been  their  boast,  they  will  send  all 
except  public  letters  to  some  place  whence  our  expresses 
may  again  take  them.  Though  I  do  not  know  when  this 
letter  can  go,  I  shall  close  it  now  and  send  it  to  Genl. 
Hd.  Qrs.  whence  they  will  send  it  by  the  first  man  who 
returns  to  Perote.  Then  again  it  will  wait  for  a  chance. 

I  have  not  mentioned  who  our  Brigade  Commander 
was — it  is  Col.  Garland,  4th  Infy.  Of  our  Battalion 
Commander  I  have  become  heartily  tired.  He  is 
eternally  cross,  snapping  and  snarling  at  everybody 
and  at  everything.  He  has  been  messing  with  me, 
but  I  gave  notice  to-day  that  the  mess  was  broken  up. 
I  will  have  my  meals  undisturbed  by  ill  temper.  Every 
body  is  disgusted  with  him.  Pity  it  is  too,  as  when  he 
chooses  he  can  be  an  elegant  gentleman. 

Friend  Lt.  Col.  W.  W.  Graham,  nth  Infy.,  is  with 
us.  He  pays  me  a  short  visit  nearly  every  day. 
Our  young  friend  Thomas  has  a  very  ugly  cough.  I 
had  one  touch  of  fever  and  ague,  but  two  doses  of 
quinine  mastered  it,  and  I  am  now  feeling  as  bright 
as  usual. 

Santa  Anna  has  not  gone  to  the  Capital.  'T  is  said 
that  he  is  with  a  handful  of  troops  at  Orizaba.  Mexico 
has  no  Army.  May  it  please  God  to  end  this  war, 
and  to  restore  me  to  my  own  beloved  family. 

No.  7.     TEPAYAHUALCO,  April  29th.     Morning. 
Your  sweet  letter  was  received  last  night  after  I 
had  closed  and  sent  to  Hd.  Qrs.  my  letter  No  6.  I 


In  Mexico  H7 

cannot  allow  the  return  to  Perote  of  an  express  from  bur 
Camp  without  acknowledging  its  receipt  and  thanking 
you  most  sincerely  for  so  charming  a  letter.  And  so 
you  wonder  whether  I  thought  of  you  on  the  26th  of 
March?  My  answer  you  have  ere  this  received. 

I  pray  to  God  that  your  mind  may  have  retained  the 
sweet  tranquillity  which  was  beaming  on  it  when  you 
wrote,  and  that  you  have  not  been  unnerved  by  the 
numerous  rumors  with  which  the  papers  must  have 
been  filled  about  the  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo — a  battle 
more  valuable  in  its  results  than  any  which  has  been 
yet  fought  in  Mexico. 

I  do  not  feel  like  underrating,  nor  do  I  intend  to 
underrate,  Genl.  Taylor's  glorious  victories,  but  they 
differ  from  Genl.  Scott's  at  Vera  Cruz  and  Cerro  Gordo 
in  this:  in  Genl.  T.'s  actions,  but  few  unconditional 
surrenders  of  prisoners  have  been  made.  By  both  of 
Genl.  Scott's  about  17,000  Mexicans  have  been  bound 
not  to  take  further  part  in  the  War.  Indeed,  by  the 
surrender  of  their  Arms,  they  have  been  incapacitated 
from  so  doing. 

We  hear  that  Genl.  Santa  Anna  could  raise  a  large 
army  of  the  young  men  of  the  country,  but  that  he 
cannot  obtain  Arms  for  them.  We  shall  soon  find 
out  what  Mexico  intends  doing;  at  present  panic 
pervades  every  place.  Whether  it  will  rouse  the  people 
to  great  exertions,  or  cause  them  more  wisely  to  turn 
their  thoughts  to  sweet  peace,  no  one  can  tell. 

The  policy  pursued  by  Genl.  Scott  is,  I  think,  pro 
ducing  a  favorable  result  on  the  common  people. 
Nothing  has  been  forcibly  taken.  I  think  that  as 
far  as  I  can  see  the  laboring  Mexicans  care  very  little 
about  the  War,  and  that,  by  a  continuance  of  this 
course,  after  a  few  months  they  will  feel  more  secure 


An  Artillery  Officer 

in  their  persons  and  property  than  they  have  ever 
been  under  their  own  authorities. 

I  fear  that  there  are  occasional  violations  of  Genl. 
Scott's  orders,  on  the  part  of  the  Volunteers,  and  in 
a  small  way,  on  the  part  of  the  Regulars,  but  all  these 
combined  amount  to  much  less  than  they  have  been 
compelled  to  bear  from  their  own  soldiery. 

To-day  we  shall  receive  a  supply  of  fifteen  days*  rations 
in  wagons  from  VeraCruz ;  this  neighborhood  can  furnish 
our  large  force  with  very  little  of  any  kind  of  provisions. 
We  have  passed  over  a  very  rich  belt  of  land,  and 
are  now  where  there  appear  to  be  no  large  farms. 

The  little  market  in  this  village  contains  very  little. 
I  went  on  a  foraging  party  this  morning,  and  the 
amount  of  my  purchases  was  one  pork's  backbone, 
twenty-five  cents,  and  eight  eggs,  twenty-five  cents. 
For  an  old  hen,  its  monster  master  wanted  me  to  pay 
seventy-five  cents.  I  give  you  these  as  samples  of 
the  prices.  Occasionally  you  can  get  mutton,  and  a 
few  prematurely  ripe  tomatoes.  When  we  get  to 
Puebla,  we  shall  again  be  in  the  land  of  plenty.  I  shall 
expect  to  fatten  rapidly.  The  great  article  of  Mexican 
cookery  is  the  black  bean.  Frijoli  and  red  peppers 
grow  everywhere. 

I  am  sorry  to  tell  you  that  an  application  has  been 
made  by  Lt.  Thomas  for  orders  to  leave  Mexico  on 
account  of  his  health.  He  has  a  very  distressing  cough, 
is  unfit  for  duty,  and,  if  he  remains  here,  will,  I  think, 
be  useless  for  a  long  time.  Capt.  Taylor  has,  also 
applied  for  the  same  indulgence:  he  is  incapable  of 
marching,  from  varicose  veins.  The  3rd  cannot  now 
muster  an  officer  for  duty  with  the  companies  here. 
Where  all  our  officers  are,  't  is  hard  to  find  out — some 
are  with  the  northern  portion  of  the  invading  Army. 


In  Mexico 


April  29th.   Evening. 

I  received  this  evening  your  letter  of  the  first, 
full  of  apprehensions  and  alarm.  You  did  not 
express  yourself  as  freely  as  you  did  in  some  of 
your  previous  letters,  and  I  regret  it  because  I  know 
that  you  would  have  felt  more  comforted  and  resigned 
after  having  done  so.  I  know  what  your  state  of 
mind  was,  but  thank  God,  the  agony  is  now  over, 
and  you  have  since  felt  how  sweet  it  is  to  put  your 
trust  in  "Him  who  alone  can  save." 
.  .  I  had  intended  keeping  this,  and  writing  a  long  letter, 
adding  something  to  it  daily,  but  the  reception  of  two 
letters  in  two  days  is  an  event  which  deserves  special 
notice  and  a  prompt  reply.  Friend  -  is,  I  regret 
to  say,  on  a  little  frolic  to-day.  I  must  give  him  a  war 
talk  to-morrow;  he  is  just  beginning,  I  fear,  a  long 
spree.  A  word  from  Father  in  this  out  of  the  way  part 
of  the  world  would  control  him  greatly.  He  thinks 
all  the  world  of  his  old  General. 

One  of  our  officers  returns  to  Perote  to-morrow; 
I  shall  send  this  letter  by  him,  hoping  that  it  may  be 
rapidly  forwarded  to  you.  Fearing  that  the  express 
may  leave  too  early  for  me  to  add  to  my  letter,  I  shall 
close  it  to-night.  My  eyes  are  not  strong  enough  to 
write  well  by  the  light  of  a  Mexican  tallow  candle, 
which  is  all  we  can  get  here. 

No  news  of  an  advance.  We  are  as  quiet  here  among 
these  people  as  if  we  were  old  friends.  How  thoughtful 
of  you  to  keep  my  old  Mother  informed  of  her  stray 
son.  Thank  you.  I  ought  to  write  to  the  family, 
but,  when  I  take  up  my  pen,  it  seems  that  the  lines 
must  be  addressed  to  you. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

No.  8.    TEPEYAHUALCO,  MEX. 

May,  i,  '47. 

Word  has  just  been  sent  me  that  a  mail  would 
leave  in  half  an  hour  so  that  I  shall  have  time  to  write 
you  a  very  few  lines.  Of  news  there  is  nothing,  except 
that  this  morning  a  messenger  from  the  British  Minister 
at  Mexico  passed  through  this  place.  He  says  that 
the  Mexican  Congress  is  divided  equally,  one  half 
for  making  and  the  other  for  opposing  a  peace.  He 
says  that  there  will  be  no  more  fighting,  that  there 
are  no  troops  at  Puebla,  and  that  in  the  City  no 
resistance  will  be  made.  God  grant  that  we  may  soon 
have  peace  and  that  his  predictions  about  no  more 
fighting  may  be  verified. 

Genl.  Scott  has  not  come  up,  indeed  we  have  no 
news  from  the  rear.  The  climate  is  here  so  cold, 
particularly  at  night,  as  to  be  most  unpleasant. 
Yesterday,  as  I  informed  you,  one  of  our  officers  was 
sent  back  to  Perote  on  duty ;  he  will  be  up  to-morrow, 
and  will  bring  us  information  from  Hd.  Qrs.  I  am 
tired  of  remaining  in  this  miserable  place.  Nothing 
is  raised  here,  that  I  can  see,  but  the  Maguey  plant, 
from  which  pulque,  the  cider  of  the  country,  is  obtained. 
Everything  is  brought  on  the  backs  of  donkeys. 

To-morrow,  Sunday,  is  the  great  market  day.  We 
shall  see  what  the  neighbors  will  bring  in  for  our  money. 
These  people  are  the  veriest  Jews  I  have  ever  met. 
Regarding  us  as  enemies  't  is  natural  that  they  should 
make  us  pay  dearly  for  everything,  but  it  seems  to  me 
that  our  commanders,  on  arriving  at  a  town,  should 
demand  from  the  Alcalde  the  customary  prices,  and 
arrange  a  tariff  accordingly. 

Orizaba  is  in  distinct  view.  I  do  wish  you  could 
enjoy  with  me  some  of  the  grand  views  we  oc- 


In  Mexico 


casionally  have  on  our  marches.  Not  a  day  passes 
that  I  do  not  regret  that  I  have  not  cultivated  the  little 
talent  I  have  for  sketching.  Fearing  that  the  mail 
may  go  suddenly,  I  must  now  close. 

TEPEYAHUALCO,  MEXICO. 

May  ist. 

(The  priest  spells  this  word  TEPE.)  The  note  sent 
off  this  morning  was  written  so  hurriedly  that  you  see 
that  I  do  not  count  it  as  one  of  my  letters.  That 
yours  of  the  1st  April  about  the  desponding  tone  of 
which  I  wrote  in  mine  (number  6)  should  have  been 
written  at  that  time  is  not  at  all  surprising,  as  you 
had  just  heard  of  the  immense  loss  of  life  attending 
Genl.  Taylor's  great  battle  at  Buena  Vista.  But  the 
reports  of  Genl.  Scott's  victories  at  Vera  Cruz  and 
Cerro  Gordo  will,  long  ere  you  receive  this,  shew 
you  that  matters  are  managed  here  differently. 

There  is  not  a  better  soldier  or  braver  man  than 
Genl.  Z.  Taylor,  and  he  will  gain  victories,  but  those 
who  fight  under  him  must  incur  with  their  Genl., 
who  is  nearly  always  in  the  front  of  the  battle  (where 
he  should  not  be),  the  full  dangers  of  an  open  direct 
attack.  Genl.  Scott  has  his  battle-fields  well  reconnoi 
tred,  and  avails  himself  of  all  the  advantages  which  sci 
ence  or  skill  may  suggest.  Maj.  Wade,  whose  tent  is  next 
to  mine,  has  come  in  and  commenced  talking  to  me  so 
that  I  have  to  stop  writing  for  to-night.  Good-night. 

Sunday,  May  2nd.     n  o'clock. 

I  have  just  finished  my  morning's  readings  in 
which  I  always  try  to  make  myself  think  you  take 
your  part,  and  resume  my  pleasant  labor  of  writing  to 
you.  'T  is  a  labor  of  love. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

Genl.  Scott  has,  we  hear,  ordered  two  of  the  new 
Regiments  to  join  our  Army;  the  nth  Infy.  is  one; 
which  the  other  is,  I  have  not  heard.  I  would  like 
very  much  to  have  Duncan  in  our  Brigade,  but  the 
chances  are  that  the  I3th  has  been  ordered  to  Point 
Isabel;  if  so,  he  will  be  with  Genl.  Taylor,  an  excellent 
friend  of  Father's.  Lt.  Andrews  states  that  at  Perote, 
whence  he  returned  yesterday,  there  are  no  rumors 
about  our  advance;  indeed,  it  is  there  said  that  Genl. 
Worth  has  received  orders  from  Genl.  Scott  to  make 
no  movement  until  he  receives  orders. 

Genl.  Santa  Anna,  report  says,  is  trying  to  organize 
an  Army  at  Orizaba  which  is  said  to  be  a  very  pretty 
village  in  a  fertile  region  of  country.  We  may  be 
ordered  to  take  summer  quarters  there,  instead  of  at 
Puebla.  I  should  prefer  the  latter  place  as  it  is  a  large 
city  and  one  where  our  men  might  be  made  more 
comfortable  than  in  a  smaller  place.  Here,  the 
majority  of  the  population  (evidently  nearly  full- 
blooded  Indians)  live  in  houses  made  by  driving  a 
few  posts  in  the  ground  and  thatching  the  sides  and 
tops  with  a  species  of  palm-leaf.  Some  few  live  in  houses 
built  of  rough  stones  forming  very  thick  walls,  plastered 
inside  and  outside,  having  tiled  roofs;  the  best  floors 
are  formed  of  large  bricks  about  fifteen  inches  square, 
or  made  firm  and  hard  with  a  kind  of  cement.  The 
buildings  are  of  one  story;  those  I  have  been  in,  have 
very  little  furniture,  and  that  of  the  rudest  kind ;  around 
the  walls  you  find  almost  invariably,  pictures  of  saints, 
occasionally  a  painting,  generally  coarse,  colored 
engravings. 

The  other  morning  I  was  offered,  seemingly  as  a 
great  treat,  one  of  their  dishes,  a  little  pork  cut  in 
fine  pieces,  rolled  in  cornmeal  dough,  and  boiled, 


In  Mexico  153 

well  covered  by  a  corn  shuck.  It  tasted  pretty  well, 
and  I  answered  their  enquiries  by  telling  them  it  was 
muy  bueno.  Perhaps  I  went  to  market  this  morning 
too  early.  I  saw  nothing  there  but  some  chickens, 
a  few  eggs  (three  cents  apiece),  and  onions  one  cent 
apiece. 

I  hear  that  our  Brigade  Commander  saw  Lt.  Johnson 
(you  saw  him  at  Ft.  Moultrie)  going  to  church  this 
morning  and  that  he  expressed  dissatisfaction  at  his 
going  alone — fears  that  officers  may  be  murdered  in 
church!  What  next?  Lt.  Thomas  is  not  improving; 
indeed,  I  think  that  if  he  be  not  sent  off  very  soon,  that 
he  will  die ;  he  is  a  very  sick  man,  and  has  never  been 
well  since  he  had  an  attack  of  brain  fever  at  Monterey. 
He  ought  to  have  left  the  country  then,  but  could  not 
be  induced  to  do  so.  I  will  now  put  away  this  letter 
till  after  dinner. 

Having  mentioned  that  I  would  stop  writing  till 
after  dinner,  I  may  as  well  state  what  our  dinner 
was,  particularly  as  it  was  a  very  respectable  dinner  and 
very  well  cooked  for  a  camp.  First  course,  vermicelli 
soup,  rice;  second,  midlings  and  greens,  and  fricassee 
(beef,  bacon,  and  onions),  pickles;  third  course,  Mame 
pear  and  musk  melon,  sauce,  sherry  wine  and  sugar. 
The  melon  was  a  present.  Thus  you  see  that  I  am 
not  starving  here.  The  we  composing  our  Mess 
embraces  Wade  and  myself.  Lt.  Thomas  is  a  third, 
but  is  too  sick  to  join  us  at  table.  Here  is  where  we 
live;  the  area  is  surrounded  by  a  rough  stone  wall 
about  twelve  feet  high;  it  was  formerly  a  room,  but 
the  rafters  and  roof  having  decayed,  it  is  now  exposed 
to  the  light  of  the  stars ;  the  floor  is  of  cement. 

Genl.  Scott's  order  for  the  troops  to  hold  them 
selves  in  readiness  to  advance  as  soon  as  our  expected 


156  An  Artillery  Officer 

May  4th. 

The  return  train  which  has,  I  learn,  just  arrived  is  to 
take  a  mail  back,  and  I  regret  most  deeply  to  say 
that  we  have  been  notified  that  it  will  be  our  last 
opportunity  for  some  time  for  writing  home.  I  hope 
that  this  will  not  be  so,  but  at  present  it  has  the  sanc 
tion  of  the  highest  in  authority  here,  as  our  Brigade 
Commander  told  one  of  our  officers  this  morning  that 
after  this  mail  was  despatched,  it  would  be  along 
time  before  another  would  be  sent.  Should  you  there 
fore  fail  to  receive  letters  as  regularly  as  you  have 
hitherto,  you  will  know  the  cause  and  not  be  uneasy. 

We  expect  to  leave  for  Puebla  in  two  or  three  days, 
and  no  resistance  will  be  made.  The  inhabitants,  we 
hear,  are  preparing  for  our  reception — cleaning  and 
whitewashing  their  barracks,  baking  bread,  etc.  I  hope 
that  when  the  citizens  of  Mexico  find  our  army  es 
tablished  in  our  summer  quarters  there,  they  will 
feel  the  inutility  of  resistance,  and  to  save  themselves 
the  disgrace  of  having  to  surrender  their  Capital,  they 
will  make  peace.  God  grant  that  this  may  be  soon 
accomplished;  of  one  thing  you  may  be  well  assured, 
that  I  will  eagerly  embrace  every  opportunity  of 
writing  to  you. 

We  are  now  so  far  in,  that  I  presume  if  peace  be  made 
soon  after  we  reach  Puebla,  we  can  hardly  hope  to  be 
able  to  leave  the  country  until  late  in  the  Fall ;  so  that 
I  must  make  up  my  mind  to  abandon  all  idea  and  hope 
of  seeing  you  for  many  a  weary  month. 

Seven  of  the  men  left  at  Vera  Cruz  arrived  this 
morning.  I  am  sorry  to  learn  from  them  that  Cramer 
was  very  sick  when  they  left.  There  had  been  no 
cases  of  yellow  fever  in  the  Hospital  where  my  men 
were.  I  was  afraid  that  our  Doctor  would  send  some 


In  Mexico  J57 

of  the  Company  to  the  Hospital  at  Perote  or  Jalapa. 

I  have  been  overlooking  your  letters  and  find  that 
commencing  with  the  one  of  Jany.  yth  I  have  them 
for  each  week  to  the  1st  of  April.  Can  it  be  that  after 
one  or  two  mails  more  we  are  to  be  cut  off  from  our 
communication  with  Vera  Cruz,  and  to  be  deprived 
of  the  invaluable  blessing  of  hearing  from  our  families? 
I  cannot  think  that  Genl.  Scott  will  not,  soon  after 
reaching  Puebla,  make  some  arrangement  for  receiving 
and  forwarding  mails. 

Mr.  Thomas,  who  since  he  has  had  a  hope  of  leaving 
the  country  has  gradually  improved,  will  leave  to 
morrow  morning.  Capt.  Taylor  will  probably  start 
with  him.  They  do  not  know  whether  they  will  be 
allowed  to  go  directly  to  the  United  States  or  have 
to  stop  at  Perote  or  Jalapa.  Perote,  except  the 
superiority  of  its  water,  is  not  much  better  than  this 
place.  I  envy  the  gentlemen  the  happiness  which 
awaits  them  on  their  return  home,  but  would  dislike 
to  be  sent  there  on  account  of  ill-health. 

I  send  in  this  letter  some  seed  of  the  most  beautiful 
yellow  tomato  I  ever  saw.  We  may  have  the  same 
kind  in  the  United  States,  but  I  have  never  seen  them. 
I  have  several  other  kinds  of  seed,  but  as  some  of  them 
cannot  well  be  sent  in  letters  I  have  them  stowed  away 
in  the  top  of  my  old  trunk.  The  corn  is,  in  this  region, 
very  small  in  its  grain,  which  is  very  long.  There  is 
a  very  pretty  variety  of  small  black  corn,  some  of  which 
I  will  bring  home.  Barley  is  cultivated  here  in 
greater  abundance  than  any  of  the  small  grains;  the 
grain  and  straw  is  the  principal  food  for  horses.  I  may 
not  have  time  in  the  morning  to  write  any  more;  if 
I  can  I  will  cross- write  a  little,  and  will  therefore  close 
my  letter  now. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

Do  not  be  over-anxious  at  not  hearing  from  me; 
believe  no  newspaper  stories  from  the  Army.  I 
cannot  resist  giving  you  here  one  or  two  instances  of 
misstatements  to  shew  you  how  much  we  who  are 
in  the  Army  are  deceived  by  false  statements.  Genl. 
Shields  and  Lt.  Dana  have  both  been  reported  dead — 
information  positive — the  last  news  is  that  they  are 
both  at  Jalapa  and  with  favorable  chances  of  recovery. 
Fortunately,  I  did  not  write  to  Lt.  Dana's  mother,  as 
I  was  near  doing.  Placing  with  me  your  whole 
confidence  in  God,  let  us  hope  that  it  may  soon  be 
His  pleasure  to  restore  me  in  good  health  to  you. 

May  5th.  Before  breakfast.  The  express  goes  early 
this  morning,  so  that  I  shall  barely  have  time  to  bid 
you  good-morning.  Dr.  Satterlee  has  decided  that 
Capt.  Taylor  is  not  to  go.  Lt.  Thomas  leaves  with 
the  express.  Good-bye,  etc.  Shall  write  to  my  dear 
Mother  by  this  mail. 

No.  9.    TEPEYAHUALCO,  MEXICO. 

Wednesday,  May  5th. 

Although  I  wrote  this  morning,  and  warned  you 
that  I  might  not  have  an  opportunity  again  of  soon 
forwarding  a  letter  to  you,  I  cannot  refrain  from 
pursuing  my  old  and  pleasant  task  of  writing  to  you. 
This  day  one  month  ago,  I  left  Vera  Cruz.  One 
month  before  that,  I  reached  Anton  Lizards.  What 
important  events  have  taken  place  since  the  last  men 
tioned  dates!  How  different  might  have  been  my  fate, 
but  for  the  all-sustaining  power  and  mercy  of  God!  I 
pray  that  I  may  become  daily  more  and  more  fervently 
thankful  for  His  mercies,  and  may  feel  my  entire 
dependence  on  Him  more  fully  than  I  have  hitherto. 


In  Mexico  159 

Preparations  are  being  made  here  for  the  reception 
of  the  remainder  of  the  Army,  but  I  have  not  heard 
that  any  information  had  been  received  as  to  the  time 
they  might  be  expected.  I  presume  that  as  the  ac 
commodations  are  very  insufficient  here,  even  for  our 
present  force  (about  1500  men)  we  shall  advance 
as  soon  as  another  portion  of  the  Army  arrives.  As 
Puebla  is  a  large  city,  containing  between  sixty  and 
seventy  thousand  inhabitants,  I  suppose  the  Army, 
or  the  larger  portion  of  it,  will  make  a  display  by 
entering  it  in  one  body. 

We  hear  that  a  large  mail  is  on  its  way,  but  why  it 
does  not  come  as  rapidly  as  rumor,  which  reports  its 
slow  movement,  I  cannot  tell.  I  hope  it  will  soon 
arrive,  as  I  am  very  anxious  to  hear  from  you.  Your 
next  letter  will  give  me  news  of  you  up  to  the  eighth 
of  April  and  may  perhaps  inform  me  when  you  will 
leave  for  Habersham.  I  fear  that  I  may  have  changed 
the  direction  of  my  letters  too  soon.  But  anxious  that 
a  letter  should  reach  Clarkesville  about  the  time  you 
did,  I  changed  my  direction,  hoping  to  give  you  an 
agreeable  surprise. 

I  have  just  seen  Genl.  Scott's  order,  dated  Japala, 
May  3rd,  announcing  that  Genl.  Patterson's  Division 
was  to  commence  its  march  by  brigade  on  the  next 
day.  Genl.  Worth  also  announces  to  his  Division 
that  it  is  to  resume  the  march  in  the  advance  of  the 
Army. 

His  order  alludes  to  the  cowardly  conduct  of  the 
Mexicans  in  assassinating  some  of  our  men,  perhaps 
some  stragglers  on  our  marches.  Our  men  frequently 
lag  behind  the  column,  sometimes  through  fatigue,  at 
other  times  for  the  purpose  of  pilfering  or  drinking. 
I  am  not  at  all  astonished  at  their  being  murdered. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

From  the  tenor  of  these  orders  I  presume  we  shall 
leave  here  on  the  7th,  and  I  have  not  the  least  idea 
of  seeing  a  soldier  enemy  between  this  and  Puebla. 

The  Mexican  Congress  have,  it  is  said,  already 
adopted  resolutions  as  to  what  they  will  do  when  our 
Army  marches  to  their  Capital.  Poor  deluded  Nation— 
the  people  are  not  fit  for  self-government,  and  we  are, 
perhaps,  instruments  intended  to  open  this  country  to 
the  world  and  finally  to  establish  enlightened  and  free 
government  in  it.  Education  must  first  be  spread 
among  the  masses,  who  are  now  ignorant  and  idle. 

That  our  Army  will  be  followed  by  active  and  en 
terprising  men,  who  will  remain  in  the  Country,  I 
do  not  doubt.  They  will  give  a  stimulus  which  will 
finally  produce  good  results  and  effect  great  changes 
in  the  people  and  Country.  God  grant  that  /  may  soon 
complete  my  task  in  this  great  work,  and  be  restored 
to  my  native  land  and  my  own  beloved  fireside. 

I  have  been  listening  this  afternoon  to  the  band 
of  the  4th  Infy.  (now  under  command  of  Lt.  Col. 
W.  W.  Graham,  nth  Infy.)  and  am  better  pleased 
with  its  music  than  with  that  of  any  of  the  bands 
with  the  Army.  The  former  leader  of  the  4th  Arty. 
Band,  Bloomfield,  is  at  his  first  station,  the  recruiting 
depot,  New  York  Harbor.  Since  his  departure,  that 
Band  has  deteriorated  very  much.  I  must  now  bid 
you  good-night.  Bonsoir. 

Thursday,  May  6th.  Early  this  morning,  four  French 
gentlemen  arrived  from  Puebla.  They  report  that 
no  opposition  will  be  made,  that  the  inhabitants  of 
Puebla  expect  us,  and  do  not  know  what  to  think  about 
our  not  going  on.  They  do  not  appear  to  be  men  of 
consequence,  but  may  be  intended  to  learn  what  our 


In  Mexico  l61 

expectations  and  plans  are.  They  speak  of  going  to 
Jalapa,  and  say  that  a  pledge  given  by  Genl.  Scott 
to  the  Church  Party  will  have  a  good  effect,  that  the 
War  Party  are  circulating  reports  that  we  are  inimical 
to  their  Church,  and  that  we  will  not  respect  their 
persons,  or  protect  them  in  their  rights  and  property. 
As  this  pledge  is  no  more  than  the  Genl.  has  already 
given,  there  will  be  no  difficulty  on  that  point. 

The  Mexican  Congress  is  still  in  session  and  it  is 
said  to  be  issuing  commissions  to  Guerrilla  officers. 
If  they  commence  that  species  of  warfare,  and  wage 
it  in  the  cruel  manner  their  relations  did  in  Spain,  we 
shall  be  compelled  to  adopt  a  mode  of  warfare  totally 
abhorrent  to  our  feelings  and  wishes.  God  grant  that 
I  may  never  be  engaged  in  so  conducting  a  war  as  to 
be  compelled  to  give  no  quarter,  to  take  no  prisoners. 
I  do  not  believe  that  the  Mexicans  will  attempt  a 
game  in  which  they  are  so  certain  of  being  the  heaviest 
losers. 

No  mail  yet.  No  news  to-day  from  Genl.  Hd. 
Qrs.,  though  we  all  expect  orders  this  evening  to  be 
ready  for  our  forward  move  to-morrow  or  the  next 
day.  Although  our  men  have  crowded  the  sick 
lists  since  we  arrived,  the  time  here  has  not  been  lost, 
as  by  our  daily  drills  we  are  getting  our  raw  soldiers  into 
some  semblance  of  military  men.  "G"  Co.  is  now 
on  paper  100  strong,  but  I  rarely  have  more  than  60 
on  duty. 

No  case  here  of  serious  sickness,  but  cases  sufficiently 
important  to  render  it  necessary  for  them  to  be  excused 
from  duty.  What  has  become  of  my  old  friend  Capt. 
Burke?  The  last  heard  of  him  was  that  he  was  re 
cruiting  his  Compy.  in  North  Carolina. 

The  provision  of  the  Bill  passed  by  the  last  Con- 


162  An  Artillery  Officer 

gress,  granting  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land 
to  all  who  serve  during  the  war,  must,  I  think,  have 
soon  presented  him  with  enough  recruits  to  fill  his 
Compy.  If  he  has  succeeded  in  completing  his  Compy. 
I  suppose  we  shall  soon  have  him  with  us.  We  will 
then  have  in  our  little  Battalion  the  three  senior 
Captains  of  the  Regt. 

My  journeyings  are  all  plain  matter  of  fact  joggings 
on.  We  start  early  in  the  morning,  and  after  a  certain 
number  of  halts,  stop  at  some  designated  spot,  where 
we  make  ourselves  as  comfortable  as  we  can  for  the 
night.  As  it  is  now  near  Retreat,  I  will  close  for  to 
night. 

Friday,  May  7th.  4  P.M.  A  Command  of  two  Com 
panies  of  Infy.  and  one  of  Dragoons  was  sent  forward 
this  morning  on  the  Puebla  road,  some  fifteen  miles,  to 
bring  an  Alcalde,  or  some  of  his  subjects,  to  task  for 
preventing  the  inhabitants  around  his  town  from  bring 
ing  provisions  to  our  troops  here.  This  move  will,  I 
presume,  be  totally  unexpected,  and  his  being  brought 
down  and  probably  sent  to  Perote  may  have  a  good 
effect.  Our  paying  the  Mexicans  liberally  for  what 
they  bring  will  induce  them  to  come,  our  punishing 
those  who  prevent  them,  will  shew  them  that  we  know 
and  feel  our  strength,  and  that  it  will  be  exerted  when 
necessity  demands  it. 

The  Command  will  not  return  till  sometime  to 
morrow.  No  mail  and  no  positive  information  about 
one.  Col.  Garland  received,  I  hear,  a  letter  from  Genl. 
Worth  last  night  informing  him  that  we  were  not  to 
advance  as  soon  as  had  been  anticipated.  What 
important  or  unimportant  events  have  caused  this 
delay  is  left  to  prolific  conjecture. 


In  Mexico  I63 

It  is  amusing  to  hear  the  various  reasons  assigned 
for  everything,  the  object  of  which  is  not  understood. 
Some  surmise  that  the  express,  whose  passing  my  last 
letter  announced,  had  important  communications 
from  the  British  Minister  for  Genl.  Scott,  etc.  I  care 
very  little  what  takes  place,  so  that  a  peace  be  soon 
honorably  secured. 

I  have  said  very  little  of  the  temperature  and  ap 
parent  climate  of  this  place.  The  climate  is  not  unlike 
that  where  you  are  (Habersham1).  Exposed  to  the 
sun  during  the  day,  between  nine  and  four  it  is  very 
warm,  uncomfortably  so,  and  at  night  it  is  sufficiently 
cold  to  require  at  least  two  good  blankets  as  covering. 
How  our  poor  men  are  to  sleep  out  exposed,  as  they  must 
be  on  the  march  from  this  place  to  Puebla,  to  the  chilly 
night  wind  without  tents  and  some  of  them  without 
blankets,  I  cannot  imagine,  without  their  being  made 
sick. 

At  Major  Wade's  request,  as  he  said  it  would  gratify 
his  wife  very  much,  I  wrote  her  a  note  the  other  day, 
informing  her  that  we  were  messing  together,  and 
that  we  had  promised  to  take  care  of  each  other. 
She  is,  you  remember,  a  sister  of  Bvt.  Major  Robert 
C.  Buchanan,  and  is  said  to  be  a  remarkably  fine 
woman.  The  Major  will  not,  I  fear,  return  home  so 
as  to  be  present  at  his  daughter's  marriage.  He  is 
an  excellent-hearted,  and  one  of  the  most  liberal  men 
we  have  with  us. 

I  much  prefer  living  as  we  now  do,  to  being  in  the  large 
Mess  I  had  when  we  arrived.  Now  we  are  sociable. 
Then  our  Commander  worried  me  at  every  meal  by 
some  display  of  petulance,  or  by  uttering  some  ill- 

1  Genl.  Clinch's  seat  in  the  northern  part  of  Georgia  in  the  moun 
tains. 


I64  An  Artillery  Officer 

natured  or  ungentlemanly  remark.  He  now  enjoys 
his  solitary  meal  alone.  The  Adjt.  eats  with  one  of 
the  Compy.  officers. 

The  market  people  are  becoming  much  more  rea 
sonable  in  their  prices;  we  now  buy  a  dozen  eggs  for 
eighteen  and  three  quarters  cents,  occasionally  five 
cents  for  a  pie;  onions,  sixteen  for  six  and  one  quarter 
cents,  and  bananas,  seven  for  six  and  one  quarter  cents. 
Chickens  half  grown,  eighteen  and  three  quarters 
cents  each.  These  prices  will  do  very  well.  The  fresh 
meats  we  get  are  generally  hog  and  sheep — the  hogs 
always  skinned — most  funny-looking  things  they  are 
with  their  jackets  off.  In  this  region,  we  scarcely  ever 
see  a  cow. 

I  must  now  go  out  and  take  a  look  at  the  drill; 
our  men  get  enough  of  it,  two  hours  before  dinner,  and 
two  in  the  afternoon.  Our  Regt.  is  the  only  one  in 
the  Brigade  whose  companies  have  to  drill  in  the 
morning. 

Saturday,  May  8th. 

Anniversary  of  the  battle  of  Palo  Alto,  the  beginning 
of  the  War.  Poor  Mexico,  what  has  she  not  lost  during 
the  past  year!  The  progress  of  our  Arms  has  been  as 
tonishing.  The  Companies  sent  out  yesterday  have 
returned.  They  found  within  twelve  miles  of  us  a  very 
fertile  valley,  where  an  abundance  of  grain,  mutton,  and 
pork  can  be  obtained  for  our  troops. 

A  fine  village,  San  Juan  de  los  Llanos,  was  visited. 
There  they  found  marks  of  refined  civilization — ice 
cream,  champagne,  and  nice  candies.  Barley  and 
corn  are  extensively  cultivated  there. 

The  Prefeto  had  escaped;  he  is  the  man  who  is 
responsible  to  the  Govt.  and  was  the  man  the  Command 


In  Mexico  165 

went  after.  The  Alcalde  professed  friendship,  and 
promised  to  send  provisions  in. 

One  man,  the  rich  man  of  the  valley,  was  stubborn 
and  surly.  The  Officer  in  command  told  him  that  we 
wanted  supplies,  and  that  he  would  be  paid  well  for 
them  if  he  would  bring  them  in,  but  that  if  he  did  not 
send  or  bring  his  grain,  etc.,  in  to-day,  that  a  Command 
would  be  sent  for  them,  and  that  no  remuneration 
would  be  made  to  him.  He  promised  to  send  in  what 
he  had. 

Genl.  Scott's  order  directing  the  discharge  of  the 
Volunteers  whose  terms  of  service  are  about  expiring 
was  received  this  morning.  Major  Genl.  Patterson 
returns  to  the  United  States  with  them.  He  is  com 
plimented.  Brig.  Genl.  Quitman,  Mississippi,  remains 
in  command  of  four  Regiments  of  Volunteers  of  the 
last  levy.  The  6th  Regt.  of  Infy.  will  join  us  this 
evening.  Whether  this  indicates  an  advance,  we 
know  not. 

Major,  I  ask  pardon,  Lt.  Col.  Graham  has  just 
informed  me  that  the  express  was  to  leave  immediately 
for  Perote.  Fearing  that  I  may  lose  the  chance  of 
this  mail,  and  be  thus  thrown  back  for  several  days, 
I  will  now  close. 

No.  10.    TEPEYAHUALCO. 

Saturday,  May  8,  1847. 

No.  9  was  despatched  this  morning.  I  hope  it  may 
be  sent  rapidly  to  its  destination. 

Soon  after  it  was  mailed,  Col.  Garland,  our  Brigade 
Commander,  paid  me  a  visit  and  shewed  me  an  order 
from  Genl.  Worth  directing  him  to  send  a  Compy.  of 
the  3rd  Arty,  back  to  Perote,  to  constitute  part  of  its 
garrison  and  also  a  letter  from  the  Genl.  A.  D.  C.  sug- 


166          An  Artillery  Officer 

gesting  that  Capt.  Robert  Anderson  would  be  a  proper 
person  to  send,  ist,  "for  his  peculiar  fitness,"  etc, ,  etc.  I 
immediately  told  the  Col.  that  I  appreciated  the  com 
pliment  very  highly,  but  I  was  convinced  that  the 
climate  of  Perote  would  not  suit  me,  and  that  I  thought 
Dr.  Satterlee,  our  Senior  Brigadier  Surgeon,  would  so 
decide.  We  immediately  went  to  see  the  Dr.  who 
promptly  said  no,  it  would  not  do  to  send  me  there. 

My  friend  the  Dr.  has  thus  saved  me  from  being 
incarcerated  in  that  Castle  for  the  summer.  I  cannot 
bear  the  place — it  reminds  me  of  a  penitentiary,  and 
the  rooms  even  were  very  uncomfortable  to  my  feel 
ings  during  my  stay  there.  A  regular  fever  and  ague 
place.  Capt.  Taylor  was  then  ordered,  and  he  has 
already  left  with  his  Company. 

I  am  desirous  of  going  as  far  into  the  interior  as 
any  one  goes.  But  as  our  Battalion  is  reduced  to 
three  companies  I  fear  we  may  be  broken  up  to  garri 
son  different  places  along  the  road.  The  6th  Infy. 
will  arrive  here  this  evening,  the  remainder  of  the 
1st  Division  will  stop  to-night  at  San  Antonio,  be 
tween  Perote  and  this  place;  to-morrow  Genl.  Worth 
is  to  arrive  and  we  are  to  resume  the  march  the  next 
day,  the  loth. 

We  hear  nothing  of  our  long-talked-of  mail,  but  hope 
that  it  may  come  with  a  large  train.  Genl.  Scott's  order 
mentions  it  as  being  on  its  way  from  Vera  Cruz. 

By  the  bye,  I  think  I  did  not  mention  that  a  train 
bringing  up  about  $500,000,  was  attacked  the  other 
day  at  Santa  Fe,  the  first  watering  place  this  side 
of  Vera  Cruz.  The  rancheros  followed  the  train  about 
three  miles,  but  were  finally  driven  off.  Supplies 
have  been  sent  in  to-day  from  San  Juan  de  los  Llanos. 
From  the  representations  given  of  that  place,  it  seems 


In  Mexico  167 

to  me  unfortunate  that  we  did  not  send  a  command 
there  soon  after  our  arrival  here;  it  might  have  added 
much  to  our  comforts  in  the  eating  line. 

I  dined  to-day  at  Brigade  Hd.  Qrs.  and  will,  to  shew 
you  that  their  bill  of  fare  was  not  much  better  than  we 
have,  tell  you  what  our  dinner  was.  Chicken  soup 
with  rice,  pretty  good ;  loaf  corn  bread  (a  rarity  and 
treat)  and  wheat  bread;  second  course:  roast  turkey, 
stuffed,  plenty  of  onions — turkey  not  quite  done — rice. 
Dessert,  pineapple.  I  confess  to  two  things  that  we 
cannot  place  on  the  table :  claret  wine  and  a  fine  glass 
of  sherry,  in  drinking  which  we  did  not  forget  the 
battle  of  Palo  Alto. 

Genl.  Quitman,  we  hear,  has  been  promoted  to  a 
Major  Generalcy,  and  is  the  only  one  of  our  recent 
Brigadiers  who  is  to  remain  in  Mexico.  Generals  Pillow 
and  Shields,  both  wounded,  will,  I  presume,  soon  return 
as  heroes  to  their  homes.  No  news  from  Puebla  or 
Mexico  to-day. 

Sunday,  May  Qth. 

The  order  is  out  for  our  march  to-morrow.  The 
Brigade  takes  the  lead,  with  the  Compy.  of  Dragoons 
under  Capt.  Sibley,  Lt.  Col.  Duncan's  Battery  of 
Arty,  and  the  train  of  Heavy  Ordnance — one  battering 
train;  on  the  day  following,  the  other  Brigade  of  this 
Division.  The  remainder  of  the  Army  will,  I  presume, 
follow  in  the  same  order. 

Genl.  Scott  must  certainly  soon  establish  some  regu 
larity  in  the  means  of  transportation  and  transmitting 
intelligence  to  and  from  home.  I  have  amused  myself 
to-day  in  reading  the  newspaper  accounts  of  our 
landing  at,  and  investing  Vera  Cruz.  The  enemy's 
fortifications,  possession  of  which  was  taken  by  our 


An  Artillery  Officer 

troops  the  day  we  landed,  must  have  been  Chdteaux  en 
Espagne,  literally  Castles  in  the  air,  for  we  never 
heard  of  them  before. 

My  letters  will  appear  tame,  compared  with  the 
graphic  accounts  of  our  famous  letter- writers.  I  wish 
that  those  gentlemen  would  stick  to  their  desks  at 
home.  The  Savannah  papers  appear  determined  to 
make  heroes  of  all  her  sons ;  it  will  tax  the  ingenuity 
of  their  editors  to  raise  the  Navy  as  high  as  the 
paragraphs  we  have  seen  indicate  their  desire  to  do. 

I  presume  that  you  have  read  Genl.  Scott's  report 
of  the  capture  of  Vera  Cruz  and  also  of  the  battle 
of  Cerro  Gordo;  we  shall  not  see  them  till  returned 
to  the  Army  by  the  United  States  papers.  The 
Genl.  has  not  sent  us  his  order  on  the  victory  of  Cerro 
Gordo.  I  do  not  know  why  he  delays ;  he  must,  ere 
this,  have  received  returns  and  reports  from  the  Com 
manders  of  Divisions  and  Brigades,  furnishing  materials 
for  an  order. 

Genl.  Worth  has  not  arrived  yet,  but  he  will,  I 
presume,  certainly  come  up  this  evening.  We  start 
to-morrow  with  five  days'  rations,  two  days'  cooked,  in 
the  men's  haversacks.  Another  of  the  men  left  at 
Vera  Cruz  came  up  to-day.  I  am  sorry  to  hear  him 
say  that  he  does  not  think  that  three  of  those  who 
were  left  behind  will  ever  join  the  Compy.  again. 
This  campaign  has  been  a  very  trying  one  on  the  poor 
soldier.  The  sick  report  of  our  Battalion  for  this 
morning  was  about  sixty.  I  have  had  one  man  sent 
back  to  the  Hospital  at  Perote,  and  regret  it  as  I 
think  he  will  not  be  much  improved  by  the  change. 

We  have  not  heard  of  or  from  Mr.  Thomas  since 
he  left  us;  he  will  continue  to  improve  so  long  as  he 
flatters  himself  with  the  hope  that  he  is  to  leave  the 


In  Mexico  l69 

country,  and  so  great  an  influence  do  I  think  his 
imagination  exercises  over  his  disease,  that  I  am  satis 
fied,  if  he  were  stopped  at  Perote  by  a  denial  of  his  ap 
plication  that  we  should  soon  hear  of  his  being  a  very 
sick  man. 

To-day  we  have  had  no  drills,  a  decided  improvement 
on  the  doings  of  last  Sunday,  when  no  respect  was  shewn 
for  the  day.  We  ought  to  be  very  particular  here, 
as  we  have  been  represented  as  opposed  to  the  religion  of 
the  Country,  and  being  determined  to  put  the  priest 
hood  down. 

Genl.  Scott  has  ordered  a  spirit  of  conciliation  to 
be  practised,  and  among  other  things,  we  should  seem 
to  evince  respect  for  the  Sabbath.  I  hope,  without 
very  urgent  necessity,  we  shall  have  no  more  drills 
on  Sunday.  Hoping  that  I  may  have  an  opportunity 
of  writing  a  few  words  before  we  leave  to-morrow, 
I  shall  now  close. 

Monday,  May  loth,  seven  o'clock. 

Yours  of  Qth  April  was  received  yesterday.  Thank 
God  your  anxiety  was  relieved  by  the  next  mail,  as 
by  letters  from  Savannah  I  find  that  Lt.  Van  Vliet, 
who  was  at  the  siege,  arrived  there  on  the  iz|.th.  But 
you  must  try  to  put  your  confidence  more  entirely  on 
the  merciful  Father  who  has  so  constantly  guarded 
us  from  every  danger.  'Tis  He  who  rules  the  storm 
and  governs  its  course  to  subserve  His  own  wise 
purposes. 

I  will  not  have  time  to  write  a  long  letter  this  morning, 
as  we  start  at  eight,  and  all  are  now  busy  loading 
the  wagons. 

We  will  reach  Puebla  in  about  four  days.  No 
information  of  any  hostile  force  on  or  near  the  road. 


170  An  Artillery  Officer 

No.  ii.    PUEBLA,  MEXICO. 
May  1 5th,  twenty  minutes  past  one  P.M. 

I  have  this  moment  washed  the  dust  of  the  road 
from  my  face  and  hands,  after  having  made  our 
entree  into  the  City  early  this  morning.  We  were 
kept  in  the  Plaza  waiting  for  the  selection  of  our 
quarters  for  about  three  hours.  We  are  now  quartered 
not  far  from  the  centre  of  Puebla,  in  an  old  barrack. 
So  much  better,  however,  than  we  have  been  accustomed 
to  in  Tepeyahualco,  that  we  consider  them  reasonably 
good.  Major  Wade  and  myself  have  again  taken  a 
room  together — this  I  agreed  to  rather  than  to  incon 
venience  all  the  young  officers  by  my  selecting  a 
separate  room. 

This  is  a  beautiful  City,  well  built;  some  of  the 
squares  or  blocks  must  have  cost  immense  sums. 
The  Cathedral  is  a  very  large  building,  very  massive, 
but  not  of  as  beautiful  or  good  a  style  as  some  of  the 
churches.  I  may,  however,  before  saying  anything 
more  about  the  City,  take  up  the  narrative  of  my 
march  from  the  day  of  our  leaving  Tepeyahualco, 
the  date  of  my  last  letter,  loth  inst. 

That  night  we  encamped  at  Virreyes,  ten  miles; 
the  nth  we  marched  about  thirteen  miles,  and  en 
camped  at  a  horridly  dirty  hacienda,  called  Santa 
Anna.  We  had,  however,  passed  a  very  pretty  little 
church  at  Ojo  de  Agua — the  country  improving  in 
fertility  and  losing  somewhat  of  its  volcanic  traces. 
Very  contradictory  reports  of  the  enemy  on  the  I2th. 
Passed  about  midday  Nopolucan,  the  place  where  the 
road  running  from  Vera  Cruz  to  Mexico  intersects 
the  road  we  came. 

The  Padre  met  Genl.  Worth  before  reaching  the 
City,  and  was  very  kind  and  full  of  friendly  pro- 


In  Mexico 


fessions  whilst  we  were  there.  He  requested  that 
the  soldiers  might  be  permitted  to  walk  through  the 
church.  It  has  a  great  deal  of  gilding,  filled  with 
paintings;  some  of  them,  I  would  judge,  making  al 
lowance  for  a  miserably  bad  light  in  which  they  are 
seen,  are  very  good.  In  one  room,  removed  from  the 
main  body  of  the  church  by  a  side  door,  I  saw  a  repre 
sentation  of  our  Saviour  lying  dead  in  a  bed;  the 
coverlid  was  said  to  be  more  than  two  hundred  years 
old,  well  worn,  worked  with  silk  figures,  flowers,  etc. 
The  whole  affair  did  not  produce  a  favorable  effect 
on  our  minds.  There  was  nothing  pleasant  either 
in  the  design  or  execution  of  any  part  of  it. 

Encamped  this  night  at  the  Hacienda  de  Final 
where  we  were  joined  by  the  2nd  Brigade,  under 
Col.  Clarke.  Rumors  of  Santa  Anna's  having  gone 
to  Puebla.  Twenty  pickets  posted  around  Camp,  the 
soldiers  informed  that  the  enemy  "are  said  to  be 
near,"  and  that  they  must  sleep  on  their  arms.  To 
cap  the  climax,  and  to  render  a  false  alarm  inevitable, 
an  issue  of  grog  was  made  after  tattoo.  About  two 
in  the  morning,  the  whole  Army  turned  out,  because 
some  of  the  men  on  guard  fired  at  jackasses  or  some 
thing  else  —  drink  the  cause. 

The  valley  of  Nopolucan  is  very  rich,  presenting  a  beau 
tiful  appearance,  the  fields  divided  by  hedges  of  Maguey. 

1  3th.  Marched  through  a  romantic  country,  the  first 
part  of  our  route  much  broken,  reached  Amozoc,  about 
fourteen  miles,  early  in  the  afternoon.  No  one  knows 
anything  positive  about  Santa  Anna.  Men  informed 
that  we  are  to  remain  here  one  day,  for  the  arrival 
of  Genl.  Quitman,  and  to  enable  them  to  clean  and 
brush  up.  A  quiet  undisturbed  night. 


172  An  Artillery  Officer 

Sunday,  i6th.  Soon  after  breakfast,  whilst  the  men 
were  busy  cleaning  belts,  guns,  etc.,  we  were  startled 
by  hearing  the  long  roll.  All  were  soon  under  arms, 
when  we  heard  that  the  enemy  was  coming  down  from 
Puebla.  They  were  seen  filing  along  the  base  of  a 
hill  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  to  the  right  of 
the  town,  their  line  extending  as  far  as  the  configuration 
of  the  country  permitted  us  to  see,  say  a  mile.  Troops, 
Arty.,  Cavalry,  and  Infantry  were  immediately  dis 
patched  to  attack  them.  Couriers  were  instantly  sent 
to  inform  Genl.  Quitman  of  their  presence — he  was 
known  by  Genl.  W.  to  be  within  four  miles  of  the  City. 

Reports  stated  that  the  Mexican  troops,  as  seen, 
amounted  to  about  5000  Cavalry.  The  Ord.,  Arty.,  and 
Col.  Smith's  light  Battalion  were  stationed  in  the 
public  Plaza,  to  guard  it,  and  to  remain  there  in  reserve. 

Firing  of  cannon  was  soon  heard,  and  in  a  moment 
the  men  stationed  on  the  house  tops  proclaimed,  by 
a  shout,  that  the  Mexicans  were  running  in  every 
direction.  Having  but  parts  of  two  Companies  of 
Cavalry  with  us,  we  could  not  avail  ourselves  of  that, 
the  only  species  of  troops  useful  in  picking  up  the 
retreating  enemy,  so  that  they  got  off  with  the  loss 
of  such  men  as  were  killed  by  our  Arty.  The  Infy. 
brought  in  six  prisoners,  one  of  them  an  ill-looking 
Padre.  We  had  not  a  man  either  killed  or  wounded 
by  the  enemy,  who  passed  by  the  town  towards  the 
direction  we  came  from.  Genl.  Quitman  saw  them, 
but  as  soon  as  he  showed  preparations  of  arrangements 
for  a  fight,  they  bore  off. 

Genl.  Worth  questioned  the  prisoners  and  learned 
that  Genl.  Santa  Anna  was  with  the  Mexican  troops. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  in  killed  was  reported  to  be 
sixteen — it  may  have  been  much  larger. 


In  Mexico 


The  troops  were  dismissed  about  twelve  o'clock 
with  orders  for  our  Brigade  to  be  ready  for  a  march 
at  three  o'clock.  We  had  scarcely  finished  a  hasty 
meal  at  half  past  eleven  when  we  were  summoned  to 
our  Arms,  and  after  a  little  delay,  were  told  that  we  were 
not  to  march  for  one  hour,  and  that  the  Command 
must  be  prepared  for  a  night  march.  Left  the  City 
about  the  appointed  time,  and  marched  about  a  mile 
and  a  half;  encamped  under  orders  that  we  would 
start  between  eight  and  ten  o'clock. 

Symptoms  of  rain  shewing  themselves  very  plainly, 
Maj.  W.  and  I  had  a  small  tent  pitched.  A  few  min 
utes  afterwards,  a  heavy  storm  came  on.  During 
the  rain,  a  Staff  Officer  rode  up,  stating  that  the  move 
ment  was  postponed  till  three  A.M.  As  the  Major 
and  myself  were  about  composing  ourselves  to  sleep, 
we  heard  our  even-tempered  Colonel  say  "that  he 
wished  to  God  that  he  had  his  tent  pitched."  We 
then  determined  that  we  would  ask  him  to  come 
in  with  us.  The  invitation  was  immediately  accepted, 
and  he  slept  there  till  word  came  that  it  was  nearly 
three  o'clock  and  that  we  were  to  march  at  a  quarter 
past.  He  didn't  say  "thankee"  but  "moseyed"  off. 

I  then  went  to  Hd.  Qrs.  where  I  saw  five  genteel- 
looking  Mexicans,  who  Col.  Garland  told  me  were  a 
deputation  from  Puebla.  Whilst  there,  a  note  was 
received  from  Genl.  W.  stating  that  in  consequence  of 
the  darkness  of  the  night  the  troops  would  not  leave 
Amozoc  till  daylight.  Word  was  now  sent  to  our 
Command  that  we  would  march  at  daylight. 

We  left  in  the  morning  of  the  I5th  at  half  -past  five. 
I  have  been  thus  minute,  to  let  you  into  the  secrets  of 
one  night  of  a  campaign,  and  to  shew  you  how  inno 
cently  sleep  may  be  killed. 


i?4  An  Artillery  Officer 

After  divers  halts  along  the  road,  we  made  our 
entrance  into  this  City  about  noon  yesterday.  Nearly 
all  of  its  eighty  thousand  inhabitants  must  have  shown 
themselves  either  along  the  sides  of  the  streets,  or 
in  and  upon  the  houses.  It  reminded  me  of  a  New 
York  crowd  on  some  celebration  day — turning  the  New 
Yorkers  into  some  resemblance  to  Florida  Indians. 

Having  brought  you  into  this  City,  I  will  not  attempt 
any  description  of  it  at  this  time.  I  am  not  only 
desirous  of  seeing  something  of  it  first,  but  am  appre 
hensive,  if  I  delay  sending  this  letter  to  Hd.  Qrs. 
that  a  courier  may  be  despatched  to  Genl.  Scott 
without  it.  I  shall  only  therefore  now  add,  that  I 
am  in  a  room  by  myself,  and  that  I  visited  the  grandest 
church  this  morning  I  ever  saw — the  same  whose  front 
and  external  appearance  I  mentioned  as  not  pleasing 
me  much.  Genl.  Santa  Anna  is  said  to  be  at  St. 
Martin,  about  nine  leagues  (thirty  miles)  from  here, 
on  the  road  to  Mexico.  An  election  for  President 
took  place  yesterday;  we  do  not  know  the  result. 

NO.  12.      PUEBLA  DE  LOS  ANGELES. 

May  17,  1847. 

I  fear  that  our  correspondence  cannot  be  continued 
with  the  punctuality  which  has  attended  it  thus  far. 
Should  any  of  my  letters  fall  into  the  hands  of  His 
Excellency  Genl.  Santa  Anna  or  any  of  his  officers, 
I  hope  that  they  will  do  me  the  favor  of  forwarding 
them  to  you.  My  letters  can  be  of  no  possible  service 
to  them,  as  I,  from  my  position,  am  debarred  from  all 
knowledge  of  the  secret  plans  (if  they  have  any)  of 
our  Commanders.  No.  n  was  sent  to  Hd.  Qrs. 
yesterday,  and  is,  I  hope,  well  on  its  way. 

I  have  been  strolling  round  the  City  but  have  seen 


In  Mexico  175 

very  little  of  its  beauties.  The  style  of  building  of  the 
houses  and  of  the  churches  is  entirely  different  from 
anything  I  have  seen.  The  people  too,  the  lower  class 
particularly,  remind  me,  as  I  see  them  around  the 
fountains,  of  the  old  pictures  of  the  Egyptians.  I 
cannot  say  much  for  the  beauty  of  their  Rebeccas, 
for  as  yet  I  have  not  seen  a  tolerably  handsome  face. 

Genl.  Worth  called,  with  the  Commanders  of 
Regiments  and  Corps,  on  the  Bishop  this  morning. 
They  were  very  affably  received;  the  Bishop  professed 
that  he  wished  to  see  kindly  courtesies  felt  and  ex 
changed  between  his  flock  and  ourselves.  He  re 
turned  the  call  in  about  an  hour. 

Lt.  Austine  says  that  he  never  saw  such  splendor 
as  was  in  everything  connected  with  the  Bishop's 
Palace;  the  walls  were  filled  with  the  choicest  paint 
ings.  The  Bishop,  a  very  old  Spaniard,  apparently 
eighty  or  ninety,  mentioned  that  he  was  in  New  York 
in  1825.  If  he  and  his  clerical  brethren  desire,  they 
can  bring  about  a  peace.  •  God  grant  that  wisdom  and 
not  passion  may  prevail  in  their  meditations  on  this 
subject,  and  that  they  may  ere  long  deserve  and 
receive  the  blessings  of  all  good  Christians  for  accom 
plishing  this  desirable  result. 

The  priests  must  know  that  if  the  war  continues 
much  longer,  there  will  be  great  danger  of  their  churches 
being  reduced  to  the  level  of  other  denominations, 
which  will  be  called  into  existence  to  satisfy  the  wants  of 
tens  of  thousands  of  foreigners  who  will  be  attracted 
from  every  part  of  Europe  by  the  reports  of  the  richness 
of  their  lands,  the  delightful  temperature  of  their 
climate,  presenting  to  the  palate  every  delicacy  of  the 
most  favored  climes. 

If  the  War  be  soon  terminated,   and  the  United 


An  Artillery  Officer 

States  will  not,  I  presume,  though  in  actual  possession 
of  all  the  seaports  and  of  the  largest  and  best  portions 
of  their  country,  ask  for  a  peace  which  will  not  save 
Mexican  honor,  she  can  soon  resume  the  ordinary 
functions  of  her  Govt.  and  if  she  prefers,  again  close 
her  doors  to  foreigners.  As  I  shall  probably  spin  out 
this  letter  to  a  more  than  usual  length,  I  will  not 
attempt  any  description  of  churches  or  City,  till  I 
have  had  more  than  a  mere  glance  at  them.  We  have 
not  heard  from  Genl.  Scott  since  our  arrival.  Report 
says  that  an  express  despatched  by  him  to  Genl. 
Worth  has  been  cut  off.  I  think  it  quite  probable, 
as  there  is  great  danger,  even  in  times  of  peace,  in 
travelling  along  the  route  we  came. 

I  may  have  something  to  say  about  manufactures  be 
fore  closing  this  letter,  as  Puebla  is  called  by  some 
the  Lowell  of  Mexico. 

May  1 8th. 

In  walking  through  the  streets  this  morning,  I  saw 
many  boys  and  women  exposing  for  sale  Genl.  Scott's 
address  to  the  Mexican  people.  Presuming  that  all  these 
papers  are  as  responsible  as  our  papers,  I  will  merely 
state  that  he  tells  them  truths  in  such  a  simple  style, 
in  relation  to  the  manner  in  which  the  people  and  Army 
have  been  misled,  and  shamefully  abandoned  by  their 
Govt.  and  generals,  that  it  will  do  much  good.  For 
eigners  here  speak  highly  in  its  favor.  The  General 
tells  them  that  he  is  going  to  Mexico,  etc.,  etc. 

I  find  that  each  day  in  going  out,  I  am  losing  the 
impression  of  novelty,  which  the  first  sight  of  the  City 
made  on  me.  I  had  therefore  better  communicate 
this  impression  before  it  wears  off.  It  may  present 
some  views  I  might  not  otherwise  give. 


In  Mexico  177 

The  streets  are  broad  with  sidewalks  of  flat  stones, 
the  centre  paved  with  round  stones.  As  you  enter 
either  of  the  principal  streets,  the  first  thing  that  attracts 
you  as  novel  is  a  row  of  tin  pipes  (several  to  each 
house)  projecting  some  three  or  four  feet  from  the  upper 
part  of  the  walls  of  the  houses;  these  are  to  throw  the 
water  into  the  streets,  which  are  thus  policed  by  every 
rain.  Each  window  is  closed  by  an  iron  grating, 
projecting  sufficiently  into  the  street  to  enable  the 
senoritas  to  stand,  or  sit,  and  command  a  view  of  the 
street.  The  upper  story  has  a  corresponding  balcony 
nearly  all  filled  with  flowers. 

The  walls,  instead  of  presenting  the  sameness  of  ours 
with  the  red  bricks  uniformly  placed,  present  all 
kinds  of  bright  lined  mathematical  figures;  the  man 
of  wealth  shows  a  front  formed  of  pieces  of  porcelain 
(generally  with  the  figures),  presenting  a  very  hand 
some  appearance;  his  neighbor,  probably  not  quite 
as  rich,  has  here  and  there  pieces  of  porcelain  forming 
detached  figures,  whilst  another  has  his  house  painted 
to  look  like  the  old-fashioned  calicoes.  Not  far  off 
you  see  one  painted  in  rectangles. 

Some  of  the  dwelling  houses  must  have  cost  immense 
sums.  The  room  in  which  I  now  write  has  its  walls 
rudely  but  not  unhandsomely  painted  to  the  height 
of  five  feet  from  the  rough  brick  floor.  If  you  can 
make  anything  of  this  attempt,1  it  is  more  than  I  can. 
The  ceiling  is  formed  of  two  arches  intersecting  each 
other,  an  ellipse,  a  circular  one,  with  a  wreath  of  the 
annexed  figure  running  up  and  over  the  two  arches. 

Though  ashamed  of  my  previous  attempts,  I  must  go 
one  step  farther  in  letting  you  know  something  more  of 
my  room,  which  is  about  fourteen  by  eighteen  feet.  This 

1  A  sketch  was  enclosed  in  letter. 


i?8  An  Artillery  Officer 

table  is  also  my  mess  table  and  my  washstand.  I  have 
not  much  furniture  to  boast  of;  for  washing  I  have 
an  old  tin  basin,  and  an  earthen  bowl,  the  latter  about 
eighteen  inches  across,  an  old  brass  candlestick  (from 
home)  with  an  enormous  candle  in  it  eighteen  inches 
high,  and  an  inch  in  diameter,  a  Mexican  knapsack 
and  a  haversack,  a  canteen,  Grandfather's  tickler,  which 
I  have  had  covered  with  canvas  to  keep  it  from 
being  broken;  a  pail,  tumbler,  and  piece  of  Mexican 
matting  complete  my  sum  total  of  furniture,  etc. 

We  find  the  marketing  abundant  and  reasonable; 
of  fruits  there  are  fine  watermelons,  muskmelons  of 
various  kinds,  apples  (small),  pears  (not  very  good), 
apricots,  plums  (indifferent),  oranges,  lemons,  limes, 
bananas  (excellent,  eight  for  six  and  a  quarter  cents), 
Mamaias  (not  certain  about  that  spelling),  and  others 
I  have  forgotten.  Of  vegetables,  tomatoes,  onions, 
cabbage,  lettuce,  radishes,  parsnips,  potatoes — Irish 
and  sweet  (both  large),  parsley,  corn,  and  peas,  etc., 
beans  of  any  number.  Chickens,  turkeys,  and  eggs  are 
also  abundant.  As  I  think  I  have  written  enough  of 
nonsense  for  one  day,  I  will  now  close  for  to-night. 

1 9th.  Everything  is  as  quiet  about  the  City  as 
if  we  were  at  home.  It  will  not  do  to  allow  our  men 
to  walk  about  the  streets  singly  or  unarmed.  The 
General's  orders  are  very  positive  and  correct;  no 
soldiers  are  permitted  to  go  out  of  their  garrison 
yards  in  less  numbers  than  six  and  under  the  charge 
of  a  non-commissioned  officer,  all  to  have  their  arms. 
One  fourth  of  our  men  are  constantly  under  arms. 
The  Genl.  is  reported  to  have  been  very  courteous  in 
permitting  about  eighty  of  Santa  Anna's  Cavalry  to 
enter  the  City  yesterday. 


In  Mexico  179 

Nothing  would  delight  me  more,  save  ending  the 
war  and  restoring  me  to  my  family,  than  to  see  this 
war  civilized,  to  witness  interchange  of  civilities  be 
tween  the  forces  whenever  they  are  not  engaged  in 
battle.  At  Cerro  Gordo  it  was  delightful  to  see  our 
officers  and  men  giving  food  and  drink  to  the  wounded, 
and  doing  all  in  their  power  to  smooth  the  hard  pillow 
of  the  dying.  I  noticed  many  of  such  acts  which  test 
both  the  valor  and  kind-heartedness  of  our  Army. 

The  Mexican  officers  seemed  to  have  forgotten 
that  the  field  was  strewn  with  their  dying  and  dead, 
and  left  all  to  us.  In  civilized  warfare  actions  are 
sometimes  suspended  to  enable  the  contending  armies 
to  take  care  of  their  wounded  and  to  bury  their  dead. 
The  Mexican  soldier  is  not  regarded  or  taken  care  of 
as  ours  are. 

I  have  been  out  shopping  a  little  to-day,  getting 
a  few  articles  for  the  Compy.  and  for  myself;  the  prices 
of  hardware  are  enormously  high — fifty  cents  apiece 
for  the  Britannia  forks  and  spoons,  three  dollars  for  an 
old-fashioned  coffee  mill,  and  a  dollar  and  a  half  for 
a  kitchen  iron  dipper,  smallest-sized  box  of  matches 
three  cents. 

I  may  as  well  say  something  about  the  dress  of  the 
common  people ;  the  ladies  have  not  become  sufficiently 
well  accustomed  to  the  presence  of  the  barbarians  to 
shew  themselves.  The  men  wear  jackets,  pantaloons 
of  buckskin,  blue  cloth  of  any  kind  or  of  velvet,  fitting 
tight  around  the  waist  and  open  on  the  outer  seam 
from  the  hip  bone  down,  ornamented  with  buttons, 
or  lace,  embroidery,  etc.,  the  inside  lined,  and  shewing 
under  them  the  full  leg  of  what  is,  I  suppose,  another 
pair  of  pants  but  not  open  at  the  seam;  this  under-gar- 
ment  is  invariably  white.  Over  the  shoulders,  and 


i8o  An  Artillery  Officer 

generally  thrown  over  the  left  shoulder  as  a  cloak, 
they  wear  the  universal  blanket. 

Their  hats  have  very  broad  brims  and  almost 
invariably  ornaments  at  the  side,  a  band  or  two  of 
silver  lace  where  we  wear  the  hat  band,  and  sometimes 
lace  around  the  circumference  of  the  brim.  On  horse 
back,  their  legs  are  protected  by  a  large  piece  of  skin 
or  leather,  attached  in  front  of  the  stirrup  leather, 
which  covers  the  leg  perfectly.  The  foot  is  doubly 
protected,  first  by  the  huge  wooden  stirrup,  secondly  by 
a  thick  flap  of  leather  which  is  fastened  to  the  upper 
part  of  the  stirrup. 

The  common  women  wear  the  chemise  (I  suppose) 
and  over  it  fastened  around  the  waist  some  petti 
coats,  the  outer  one  either  entirely  of  some  fancy 
colored  material,  or,  at  all  events,  the  lower  part, 
from  the  first  swell  of  the  hip  downwards,  will  be  found 
colored.  Over  their  heads,  breasts,  and  shoulders, 
you  again  see  the  blankets,  or  ribosa  which  is  worn 
by  all  who  can  afford  it.  These  are  placed  on  the 
crown  of  the  head  (sometimes  fastened  to  the  hair 
by  a  pin)  crossed  so  as  to  meet  about  the  chin,  and  the 
ends  sometimes  thrown  over  the  left  shoulder,  as  the 
blanket  or  cloak  is  worn  by  the  men. 

I  saw  a  child  carried  by  her  mother,  this  morning, 
in  a  manner  I  never  saw  before.  The  woman  had  a 
basket  full  of  some  marketing,  which  was  supported 
by  her  blanket,  tied  so  as  to  form  a  kind  of  bag,  the 
ends  of  the  blanket  tied  together ',  and  pressing  on  her 
forehead;  between  the  basket  and  her  blanket  bag 
were  seen  divers  kinds  of  vegetables,  and  under  her 
left  arm,  its  head  (back  downwards)  dangling  about 
the  mother's  hip,  and  one  of  its  little  feet  seemingly 
holding  to  her  dress  behind  was  carried  her  little 


In  Mexico  l81 

Indian  child.     It  was  certainly  a  novel  way  of  carrying 
a  child. 

You  see  them  frequently  carried  here  as  the  Indians 
do  theirs  in  Florida,  in  blankets  on  the  back.  In  fact 
the  common  people  here  resemble  our  Indians  so  strongly 
in  their  habits,  it  would  be  easy  for  them  to  assimilate 
at  once.  Education  would  make  them  good  citizens. 
Ignorance  keeps  them  serfs.  Enough  for  to-day, 
bonsoir. 

May  2Oth.  I  spent  about  an  hour  in  the  Cathedral, 
hoping  when  I  left  home  that  I  might,  on  my  return, 
be  able  to  give  you  some  description  of  the  building 
and  of  its  decorations.  But  without  drawings  it  were 
perhaps  better  to  say  nothing,  or,  at  all  events,  to  speak 
in  very  general  terms.  In  this  interior  chapel  I  saw 
no  one,  the  other  day  during  Mass,  except  the  priests 
and  children  who  were  engaged  in  chanting. 

The  outer  sides  of  this  chapel  are  filled  with  paint 
ings,  some  apparently  very  valuable;  and  it  also  has 
two  little  altars.  The  effect  is  grand  beyond  descrip 
tion,  though  you  see  much  gold,  silver,  and  gilding, 
still  it  is  all  in  such  grand  style  that  you  do  not  enter 
tain  the  least  feeling,  such  as  I  mentioned  I  entertained 
in  seeing  the  Church  ornaments  at  Nopolucan. 

Every  altar  (except  two)  has  around  it  pictures 
of  various  sizes,  some  not  very  good,  but  many  very 
well  executed.  O  how  I  wish  that  you  could  walk 
with  me  and  enjoy  the  glorious  beauty  of  this  Cathedral. 
I  feel  that  it  would  help  to  make  me  a  better  man. 
But  behold,  I  am  on  my  eighth  page;  I  fear  that  if 
I  do  not  reduce  my  daily  scale  of  writing,  the  express, 
when  he  goes,  will  not  carry  my  bulky  epistle.  I  must 
now  close  for  to-day. 


182  An  Artillery  Officer 

May  2 1  st.  I  have  made  a  few  corrections  and  addi 
tions  to  the  sketch  of  the  Cathedral,  which  I  visited 
to-day  for  the  purpose  of  verifying  my  work  of  yester 
day.  I  shall  add  very  little  more,  as  I  cannot  describe 
it  in  terms  to  make  you  see,  or  delight  in,  its  grandeur. 

The  arches  forming  the  ceiling  spring  from  sixty-four 
enormous  stone  pillars,  arranged  in  groups  of  four, 
some  of  which  are  designated  by  (*)  in  the  drawings;1 
along  the  side  walls  are  seen  corresponding  sections, 
presenting  one  whole  pillar  and  the  two  halves,  from 
which  spring  the  arches  connecting  with  the  walls. 
In  another  part  of  this  same  pile  of  buildings,  we  entered 
to-day  two  chapels,  each  containing  three  altars,  one 
shewing  the  neatest  and  most  beautiful  rich  altar-piece 
I  have  seen.  It  looks  like  rich  chased  gold.  Enough! 

No  news  from  Genl.  Scott ;  the  rumor  I  heard  yester 
day  that  he  was  at  Tepeyahualco,  has  not  been  con 
firmed  to-day.  Yesterday,  a  very  heavy  seizure  of 
tobacco  was  made ;  it  is  worth  several  thousand  dollars. 
Here,  the  Govt.  monopolizes  the  tobacco  trade.  The 
rainy  season  seems  to  have  commenced  here,  as  we 
have  rain  every  afternoon  or  night.  I  do  hope  that 
Genl.  Twiggs's  Division  is  provided  with  tents;  if  the 
men  are  not  inside  some  kind  of  shelter  at  night, 
they  must  suffer  very  much. 

Saturday,  May  22nd.  No  mail,  no  rumor  that  a 
mail  is  on  its  way  to  us — nothing  from  Genl.  Scott 
— in  fact,  we  are  without  news  from  any  part  of  the 
world.  Even  from  Mexico,  the  Capital  of  this  Republic, 
we  hear  nothing.  So  long  as  I  could  hear  from  you  with 
the  least  degree  of  regularity,  my  mind  was  quieted 
from  mail  to  mail,  in  hopes  that  the  next  mail  would 

1  Sketches  were  enclosed  in  the  letter. 


In  Mexico  I83 

give  me  good  news  of  you,  but  now,  when  I  look 
forward  to  a  long  summer  in  which  I  may  hear  from 
you  very  seldom  if  at  all,  it  requires  more  philosophy 
than  is  now  at  my  command  to  bear  it. 

I  will  yet  hope  that  Genl.  Scott  will,  when  he  arrives, 
devise  some  secure  means  for  ensuring  the  regular  and 
safe  carriage  of  our  letters.  Thus  far  I  have  been  much 
disappointed  in  not  having  received  at  least  one  mail 
since  our  arrival. 

The  Diligence  came  in  to-day  from  Vera  Cruz; 
it  was  robbed  by  some  of  the  rancheros,  or  in  other 
words,  by  some  of  the  old  established  robbers,  who 
now  design  legalizing  their  rascality  by  claiming 
to  belong  to  the  Mexican  Guerrillas.  The  report 
that  Genl.  Scott  was  at  Tepeyahualco  two  days  ago, 
is  contradicted  by  the  passengers  of  the  Diligence, 
who  say  that  he  was  at  Jalapa  when  they  passed  through. 
No  one  knows  who  tells  the  lie,  rumor  No.  I  or  No.  2. 

Cannon  and  musketry  firing  were  said  by  Lt.  Judd 
to  have  been  distinctly  heard  this  morning.  To 
morrow  I  presume  that,  if  such  is  the  fact,  I  shall 
let  you  know  its  cause.  Out  Dictionary  hunting  to 
day;  found  a  pocket  edition  of  Nugent,  old  and  much 
worn,  for  which  the  sum  of  five  dollars  was  modestly 
asked.  I  need  not  say  that  the  book  was  left  on  the 
table  whence  it  was  taken  to  be  handed  to  me. 

I  finished  to-day  reading  the  Prairie  Bird.  I  do 
not  know  whether  you  read  it.  Whether  it  was 
because  it  was  the  only  book  in  our  language  which 
I  could  get,  or  that  the  work  has  intrinsic  merit,  I 
know  not,  but  I  was  very  much  interested  in  it.  Those 
who  know  anything  of  the  localities  described,  might 
criticise  the  pigeon-like  flight  of  his  characters  from 
one  part  of  the  country  to  another,  but  his  characters 


An  Artillery  Officer 

of  War  Eagle,  Winnegund,  Ethelston,  and  Prairie 
Bird  are  certainly  well  drawn.  He  has,  too,  interwoven 
in  a  tale  of  fiction  much  true  knowledge  of  Indian 
character,  and  many  anecdotes  illustrative  of  their 
habits,  etc. 

Dr.  Holden  and  I  think  of  taking  lessons  in  Spanish 
if  we  can  find  a  good  and  reasonable  instructor.  I 
find  that  I  can  ask  for  many  things,  but  I  could  not 
attempt  to  ask  or  answer  questions  in  conversation. 
Our  little  friend,  Capt.  Brooks,  is  very  useful  in  in 
terpreting,  as  he  reads  and  speaks  the  Spanish  language 
very  well. 

I  must  now  lay  this  sheet  by  till  to-morrow  when 
I  may  have  to  thank  you  for  another  letter.  God  grant 
that  it  may  be  so.  To  His  care  and  protection  do  my 
prayers  ever  consign  you.  Good-day. 

Sunday,  May  23rd.  I  fear  that  in  my  anxiety  to 
give  you  multum  in  parvo,  I  may  render  my  letter  so 
nearly  illegible  as  to  destroy  my  object.  Really, 
sometimes  when  I  think  of  our  position,  so  far  into 
the  interior  of  the  enemy's  country,  and  with  so  small 
a  force,  though  I  have  not  the  least  apprehension 
about  our  being  able  to  keep  our  ground,  still  I  cannot 
see  how  our  communications  can  be  kept  up  with  our 
seaports.  Would  that  Genl.  Scott  were  here,  he 
would  soon  solve  all  my  difficulties. 

We  attended,  by  invitation,  High  Mass  this  morning 
in  the  Cathedral.  The  ceremonies  were  more  showy 
then  I  ever  saw  in  the  United  States,  as  the  number 
of  priests  and  attendants  was  larger  than  our  Catholic 
communities  could  get  together,  and  their  dresses  were 
also  much  more  costly  than  we  see  in  the  United 
States.  The  three  officiating  priests  wore  the  richest 


In  Mexico 


garment  (I  know  not  its  name)  over  their  backs  and 
shoulders  I  ever  saw;  it  looked  like  gold  cloth.  The 
music  was  very  fine,  not  so  sweetly  pleasant  to  the 
ear  as  the  vespers,  as  we  heard  them  sung  in  St.  Peter's 
Church  in  New  York.  You  remember  the  time. 

To-day  during  a  part  of  the  Mass,  the  voices  were 
accompanied  by  orchestral  music,  some  violins,  a 
bass  viol,  and  two  or  three  wind  instruments.  This 
gave  us  delightful  music.  Not  a  female  voice  was 
in  the  choir  —  a  great  defect,  as  the  voices  of  the  boys 
have  not  the  sweetness  of  those  of  females.  Next 
Sunday,  being  Trinity,  I  presume  that  we  shall  be 
again  invited.  Nothing  new,  no  word  from  General 
Scott.  Good-night,  God  bless  you. 

Monday,  24th.  Some  of  the  quick-eared  report 
musketry  and  firing  having  been  heard  again  this 
morning,  but  no  one  believes  it.  Genl.  Worth  re 
ceived  a  dispatch  from  Genl.  Scott  yesterday,  in  which 
he  stated  that  he  would  leave  Jalapa  on  the  23rd 
(yesterday).  He  may  be  expected  here  in  about 
six  days. 

We  have  this  morning  a  rumor  that  Genl.  Bustamante 
is  raising  an  army  of  13,000  men  in  the  City  of  Mexico, 
and  that  another  Genl.  is  to  join  him  with  9,000  men 
from  the  tierras  calientes,  the  country  beyond  the 
mountains.  Others  say  that  old  Genl.  Bravo  is 
marching  down  with  an  Army  of  50,000  men.  We  do 
not  believe  any  of  these  reports  and  feel  confident  of 
beating  any  Army  Mexico  can  bring  against  us. 

One  thing  I  observe  to-day  which  gives  me  great 
pleasure,  viz.,  the  ladies  are  making  their  appearance 
in  the  streets.  This  shows  that  confidence  is  being 
established.  For  the  first  four  or  five  days  after  our 


An  Artillery  Officer 

arrival,  not  a  lady  was  seen  in  the  streets,  private 
carriages  were  not  seen,  but  few  females  shewed  them 
selves  at  the  windows.  To-day  we  see  very  genteel 
equipages  and  ladies  and  gentlemen  taking  drives. 
I  hope  that  in  a  short  time  the  Pueblans  will  find  that 
we  are  not  as  barbarous  as  we  have  been  represented, 
and  learn  to  regard  us  as  good  friends. 

No  one  can  tell  us  where  Genl.  Santa  Anna  is.  I 
have  been  reading  Thompson 's  Recollections  of  Mexico, 
in  which  he  gives  many  instances  of  Santa  Anna's 
generosity  and  other  good  qualities.  I  expect  from 
the  tenor  of  some  severe  articles  recently  published 
against  him,  that  he  will  soon  be  again  compelled  to 
leave  his  country,  for  whose  Independence  he  has 
fought  in  many  an  action. 

I  find  that  I  am  forgetting  that  I  ought  to  restrict 
myself  in  my  writing  as  I  am  running  off  into  dis 
sertations  which  had  better  be  contracted  or 
omitted.  When  I  take  up  my  pen  to  write  to  you, 
I  instinctively  write  every  thought  as  it  enters  my 
mind.  This  you  see  by  my  erratic  style.  But  of  this 
you  are  ever  well  assured,  that  you  always  fill  the 
heart  and  soul  of  your  own  devoted  husband. 

Tuesday,  25th.  No  letters.  No  Genl.  Scott.  111- 
tongued  rumor  even  goes  so  far  as  to  say  that  when 
the  Genl.  arrives,  no  mail  will  be  brought,  as  no  mail 
has  been  received  at  Vera  Cruz  for  one  month.  I  will 
not  believe  the  story — it  cannot  be  true. 

I  had  written  thus  far,  when  Maj.  Wade,  Dr. 
Holden,  Lts.  Judd  and  Austine  came  in ;  they  have  just 
left,  giving  me  a  late  bed  hour.  I  have  nothing  new 
to  communicate.  The  reports  about  Bustamante's 
raising  an  Army  in  Mexico  is  contradicted  to-day;  it 


In  Mexico  187 

is  now  reported  that  Santa  Anna  was  enthusiastically 
received  in  Mexico,  that  he  is  to  be  the  next  President, 
that  he  is  organizing  an  Army  and  preparing  the  City 
for  defence.  I  do  not  believe  this  tale — it  is  too  im 
probable.  The  Genl.  who  lost  the  battle  of  Cerro 
Gordo  cannot  be  received  with  enthusiasm  in  the 
Capital. 

I  must  not  close  my  letter  without  telling  you  of 
our  visit  to  one  of  the  Churches  this  morning  where 
the  railing  and  enclosure  of  the  main  Altar  was  orna 
mented  with  flowers  and  evergreens  in  pots ;  the  effect 
was  very  pretty.  The  idea  struck  me  as  an  original 
and  very  charming  one.  The  padre  of  that  Church 
must  be  a  good  man.  That  God  may  keep  my  wife 
under  His  especial  care  is  my  prayer . 

May  26th.  I  have  just  returned  from  a  walk  with 
the  Doctor,  and  was  informed  that  an  Express  was  to 
leave  in  the  morning.  As  Col.  Belton  has  sent  his 
letters  off  (without  asking  for  our  letters),  I  know 
not  but  I  may  be  foiled  in  my  attempt  at  getting 
this  into  the  mail.  But  I  will  leave  no  proper  means 
for  doing  so  untried. 

Among  the  other  curious  sights  here,  I  see  the  tails 
o  mules  put  up  in  leather  bags  or  pockets.  The 
harness  is  made  with  these  pockets  to  keep  their 
tails  from  interfering  with  the  driver's  lines,  of  which 
there  are  none,  as  the  driver  rides  on  one  of  each  pair 
of  mules. 

No.  13.    PUEBLA. 

May  28,  1847. 

No.  12  was,  I  find,  taken  yesterday  morning  by  a 
Mexican  gentleman  who  has  started  for  Vera  Cruz. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

He  has  my  warmest  thanks  for  his  offer  to  take  letters, 
and  if,  by  his  agency,  you  succeed  in  getting  mine, 
I  shall  be  under  everlasting  obligations  to  at  least  one 
of  these  will  be  enemies.  I  was  prevented  from  writing 
last  evening,  by  a  visit,  from  an  early  till  a  late  hour, 
of  nearly  all  the  officers  of  our  little  garrison. 

Lt.  Johnson  was,  I  thought,  last  week  about  relapsing 
into  the  state  in  which  he  was  represented  to  have 
been  at  St.  Augustine — so  nervous  that  he  could  at 
tend  to  no  duty.  But  something  fortunately  occurred, 
which  roused  him  from  his  lethargy,  in  which  I  hope 
he  will  not  again  indulge. 

In  speaking  of  the  City,  no  mention  has,  I  believe, 
been  made  of  the  Alameda.  This  is  a  large  lot  ar 
ranged  for  the  afternoon  walks  and  drives  of  the 
citizens  of  Puebla.  A  double  row  of  trees,  mostly 
willows,  shades  the  principal  drive  around  its  four 
sides ;  from  this,  several  walks  lead  to  fountains  in  the 
interior;  some  of  these  have  "jets-d'eau,"  in  others  the 
water  merely  bubbles,  or  wells  up. 

All  these  walks  and  fountains  are  shaded  by  trees, 
among  which  I  saw  a  tree  resembling  very  closely 
my  horror,  the  Lombardy  poplar,  but  I  was  told  it 
was  a  species  of  willow.  Hedges  of  roses,  sweet  peas, 
marguerites  (with  here  and  there  a  dahlia)  and  pinks, 
surround  and  intersect  this  beautiful  spot.  Of  roses 
I  never  before  saw  such  a  profusion. 

All  the  flowers  are  the  same  we  have  in  our  gardens ; 
not  an  uncommon  one  did  I  see.  Looking  at  the 
flowers  and  trees,  we  might,  had  it  not  been  for  the 
operations  of  fond  memory r,  have  imagined  ourselves 
in  our  own  beloved  land.  But  the  delusion  would 
have  soon  been  dispelled  by  the  constant  presence 
at  the  fountains  of  some  of  the  water-carriers.  The 


In  Mexico  189 

earthen  jars  here  used  are,  I  suspect,  the  exact 
pattern  of  those  used  by  the  Israelites.  Though 
not  famous  for  sketching,  let 's  try. x  Each  carrier 
has  two  of  these  jars,  holding,  I  think,  ten  gallons; 
one  is  carried  in  front,  the  strap  crossing  the  man's 
neck,  and  the  other  behind,  the  strap  over  the  upper 
part  of  the  forehead. 

Major  Wade  saw  one  of  these  carriers,  who  had  just 
filled  his  jars  and  started  from  the  fountain  in  front 
of  our  quarters,  and  was  so  unfortunate  as  to  have 
both  of  them  fall,  and  of  course  break  to  pieces. 
The  poor  fellow  stood  muttering  something  and  crossed 
himself  repeatedly,  gazing  at  his  loss.  This  is  mentioned 
as  an  instance  of  their  adherence  to  the  forms  of  their 
religion. 

I  have  frequently  been  in  sight  of  the  public  Plaza, 
where  the  market  is  held,  at  the  hour  of  the  officiating 
priest's  elevating  the  Host  in  the  Cathedral.  It  is 
announced  by  the  striking  of  a  particular  bell;  at 
this  sound,  every  Mexican  throws  himself  on  his  knees 
and  there  remains  till  another  signal  gives  notice 
that  the  ceremony  is  over,  when  they  immediately 
resume  their  business.  I  have  seen  the  market-place 
filled  with  buyers  and  sellers,  all  on  their  knees,  and 
the  Mexicans  in  the  streets  near  by  leading  to  the 
square,  also  kneeling. 

In  other  parts  of  the  City,  at  the  sound  of  this  bell 
all  uncover.  This  last  they  invariably  do  whenever 
they  pass  the  door  of  a  church  (and  they  are  very 
numerous)  or  a  priest.  The  respect  they  pay  to  their 
religion  is  wonderful,  and  to  me  a  very  pleasing  sight. 

Genl.  Scott  has  arrived;  he  came  in  this  morning, 
with  an  Escort  of  Cavalry  and  Mounted  Rifles.  I 

1  A  sketch  was  enclosed  in  letter. 


190  An  Artillery  Officer 

have  not  seen  him,  but  shall  call  on  him  to-morrow. 
Lt.  Judd  states  that  he  heard  we  were  to  advance, 
leaving  a  force  here  of  two  thousand  men.  I  have 
most  unlimited  confidence  in  the  judgment  and  dis 
cretion  of  the  Genl.  and  will  blindly  pin  my  faith  to 
any  of  his  decisions.  You  know  that  in  my  journaliz 
ing,  I  give  you  sometimes  daily  rumors  which  are 
subsequently  corrected  by  others  which  I  give;  this 
may  be  the  case  with  the  above  rumor. 

Thus  far  had  I  written  when  my  room  was  filled 
with  officers  who  have  just  left  me.  It  is  now  good 
bed  time,  and,  as  I  have  already  given  you  a  long  letter 
for  one  day's  writing,  I  will  now  bid  you  good-night. 

Saturday  night,  29th.  I  called  to  see  Genl.  Scott 
this  morning  and  was  delighted  to  learn  that  a  mail 
was  coming  up  with  Genl.  Twiggs ;  he  has  arrived  with 
his  Division,  but  we  have  not  been  informed  when 
or  where  the  mail  will  be  opened.  The  Genl.  does  not 
look  very  well;  he  is,  I  presume,  merely  suffering 
from  the  fatigue  of  a  rapid  march. 

Most  of  my  Army  friends  have  arrived  with  him. 
My  friend,  Capt.  Irwin,  is,  I  am  delighted  to  see,  looking 
better  than  when  we  parted  at  Vera  Cruz.  Capt. 
Wayne  mentioned  that  he  had  a  letter  from  Mrs. 
W.  dated  the  24th  April.  I  hope  that  my  good  news 
from  you  will  be  of  as  late  a  date. 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  that  there  is  every  probability 
that  my  first  letter  from  this  place  has  been  taken,  as 
General  Scott  has  never  received  Genl.  Worth's  report 
of  our  entering  this  place,  forwarded  by  the  same 
express.  I  am  now  writing  in  the  fond,  and,  I  fear, 
foolish  hope,  that  I  may  ere  long  have  a  safe  opportun 
ity  for  sending  this  letter.  During  this  long,  long 


In  Mexico 


summer  I  fear  that  we  shall  scarcely  hear  from  each 
other.  What  would  I  not  give,  if  the  two  Nations 
would  like  sensible  people  agree  at  once  upon  some 
honorable  terms  of  peace. 

We  have,  by  the  General's  Staff,  been  favored  with 
papers  from  the  United  States,  announcing  the  reception 
of  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo.  I  have  not 
read  any  of  the  accounts,  but  have  no  doubt  they, 
as  is  generally  the  case,  deviate  widely  from  the  truth. 
I  hope  that  Capt.  R.  Lee,  U.  S.  Engineers,  will  write 
a  Military  Memoir  on  that  battle,  accompanying  it 
with  correct  topographical  maps,  indicating  the  posi 
tion  of  the  batteries,  and  showing  the  varied  positions 
of  the  troops  during  the  battle.  The  accurate 
description  of  that  battle  would  place  the  science 
of  our  Army  distinctly  and  most  creditably  before 
European  Military  readers. 

Capt.  Swift's  death,  though  not  unexpected,  has 
filled  the  hearts  of  his  friends,  and  all  who  knew  him 
were  such,  with  feelings  of  grief.  He  was  an  excellent 
man,  and  a  most  valuable  officer.  You  saw  him  at 
West  Point.  Capt.  Mason,  of  the  Rifles,  who  lost 
a  leg  at  Cerro  Gordo,  has,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  died  from 
his  wound.  He  was  a  favorite  also  with  his  acquaint 
ances.  Our  friend  Lt.  Col.  Bragg  rises  rapidly  in  the 
Military  world.  Genl.  Taylor's  encomium  on  him,  in 
his  report  of  his  last  battle,  is  good  for  another  brevet  ; 
this  will  place  our  young  Capt.  among  the  Brevet 
Lt.  Colonels.  Enough  for  to-night. 

Sunday  night,  3Oth  May.  I  had  just  closed  my 
eyes  last  night,  when  I  was  roused  by  a  tap  at  the  door, 
and  was  told  that  there  was  a  letter  for  me.  My 
heart  told  me  that  it  was  from  you.  It  was  yours  of 


An  Artillery  Officer 

the  2Oth.  Its  reception  has  relieved  my  mind  of  a 
heavy  weight,  as  it  tells  me  that  your  heart  is  at  rest 
in  relation  to  Vera  Cruz.  About  Cerro  Gordo  you 
cannot  have  been  kept  long  in  suspense. 

But,  my  wife,  you  are  stark  mad  and  crazy  about  my 
name's  not  being  mentioned,  or  my  not  having  been 
brevetted.  A  Capt.  of  the  line  of  the  Army  has  the 
least  possible  chance  of  being  mentioned  among  the 
distinguished,  however  distinguished  his  conduct  may 
be. 

The  reason  why,  is  a  very  simple  one.  As  he  is 
part  of  a  Command,  whether  Regt.  or  Battalion, 
whatever  is  done  by  the  Regt.  or  Battalion,  is  placed 
to  the  credit  of  its  commander.  It  is  only  by  a  cap 
tain's  being  detached  with  his  Compy.  on  some  special 
service  that  he  has  a  chance  to  distinguish  himself. 
Hence  the  advantage  of  an  officer's  commanding  a 
Battery,  etc.  Dispel  this  idea  from  your  mind,  and 
regard  me  as  returning  plain  Capt.  Anderson,  however 
well  and  zealously  I  may  perform  my  duties. 

If  I  should  be  brevetted,  it  will  be  luck.  Genl. 
Scott,  though  my  best  friend,  cannot  designate  me, 
unless  I  am  reported  to  him — the  ill-will  or  ill-temper 
of  the  Regtl.  Commander  might  not,  even  under  a 
highly  favorable  case,  give  him  an  opportunity  of 
so  doing.  Let  this  not  worry  you.  I  hope  that  as 
long  as  I  remain  in  service,  I  shall  continue  so  to  act 
as  to  command  the  favorable  opinion  of  all  those 
with  whom  I  serve;  as  to  gaining  brevets,  that  is  a 
lottery  in  which  there  are  many  blanks  to  the  prize; 
though  all  the  candidates  pay  the  same  price — most 
gallant  deeds — but  few  are  lucky  enough  to  draw  the 
prize. 

I  dined  with  Genl.  S.  to-day,  and  am  sorry  to  say 


In  Mexico  193 

that  he  was  compelled  to  take  quinine.  I  had  hoped 
that  he  would  recover  without  more  medicine,  though 
I  knew  by  my  own  case  how  long  a  time  it  required 
for  me  to  recover  from  my  Perote  chill.  The  Genl. 
has  been  as  kind  and  affectionate  as  ever  to  me,  and 
begs  me  to  call  whenever  I  can.  But  knowing  how 
little  time  he  has  to  spare  to  friendly  intercourse, 
I  cannot  intrude  often  on  him.  He  made  many  kind 
inquiries  about  the  family.  I  hope  Father  has  written 
to  him. 

I  was  in  the  Cathedral  at  Mass  this  morning,  Trinity 
Sunday.  The  pillars  through  the  body  of  the  church 
as  well  as  those  against  the  walls,  were  entirely  covered 
with  rich  damask  velvet.  The  music  was  much  more 
delightful  than  it  was  last  Sunday.  It  was  sublime. 
Genl.  S.  was  there  with  his  Staff.  I  regret  that  I  did 
not  understand  the  sermon,  as  I  was  pleased  with 
the  manner  and  voice  of  the  preacher.  Enough  for 
to-night. 

May  3 1  st.  Capt,  De  Hart  took  supper  with  us  and 
remained  until  after  Tattoo,  so  that  I  shall  write  you 
only  a  few  lines  to-night.  Your  letter  advises  that 
henceforth  I  ought  to  direct  my  letters  to  Clarkesville ; 
I  fear  that  my  having  changed  too  soon  my  directions 
to  that  place  may  have  caused  you  much  uneasiness. 
My  previous  letters  have  given  my  reasons  for  my 
having  done  so. 

News  of  great  (it  may  be)  importance  came  last 
night  from  Mexico,  that  Santa  Anna,  to  heal  the  political 
and  personal  dissensions  in  the  parties  of  Mexico,  has 
determined  to  sacrifice  himself,  and  has  declared  that 
he  will  not  accept  the  Presidency.  Who  will  be  the 
President  seems  to  be  very  uncertain.  Generals  Bravo 


194  An  Artillery  Officer 

and  Valencia  have  command  of  the  Mexican  Armies, 
the  one  at  the  Capital,  the  other  in  San  Luis. 

Of  Genl.  Taylor's  movements  we  know  nothing. 
Our  placid  Lt.  Col.  has  been  named  by  Genl.  Worth 
as  his  successor  in  the  Milty.  and  Civil  Governorship 
of  this  City.  A  worse  selection  could  not  have  been 
made. 

This  looks  a  little  like  the  3rd's  being  intended  as 
part  of  the  garrison  of  this  Post.  I  shall  exert  all  my 
ingenuity  to  prevent  my  being  left.  I  am  exceedingly 
desirous  on  many  accounts  to  go  as  far  into  the  Country 
as  any  one.  Nous  verrons. 

Friend  Capt.  Knowlton  sent  me  a  package  of  New 
York  papers;  if  I  can  find  a  safe  opportunity  I  must 
return  him  my  thanks.  My  anxiety  that  you  should 
hear  from  me  will  cause  me  to  embrace  every  oppor 
tunity  of  sending  a  letter  whether  it  be  considered 
safe  or  not;  if  any  one  reaches  you  it  is  a  point  gained. 

June  1st.  Nothing  new  to-day.  In  fact,  as  I  am 
Officer  of  the  Day,  I  have  not  been  outside  of  our 
quarters.  I  have  read  Genl.  Santa  Anna's  resignation 
of  the  Presidency ;  the  latter  part  is  as  pretty  a  piece  of 
egotism  as  I  have  met  with  for  a  long  time. 

Yesterday  the  Municipal  authorities  of  this  City 
retired  from  their  offices.  Genl.  Worth  has,  in  the 
exercise  of  his  authority  as  Governor,  directed  an  elec 
tion  to  be  held  to  fill  their  places  and  has  ordered  those 
officials  to  return  to  their  duties  till  their  places  are 
filled.  I  have  not  been  to  see  Genl.  Scott  since  Sunday, 
but  must  call  to-morrow  to  enquire  how  he  is. 

My  wife,  you  have  either  mistaken  the  purport 
of  one  of  the  sentences  in  a  letter  from  Vera  Cruz,  or 
it  states  what  I  did  not  mean.  I  did  not  receive  the 


In  Mexico  *95 

white  flag  whilst  in  the  trenches;  the  parley  (as  we 
believed  it  to  be)  was  sounded  and  the  firing  suspended 
for  the  bearer  of  the  flag  to  approach,  but  as  we  had 
no  bugle  to  answer  their  call,  we  missed  the  opportunity 
of  receiving  the  flag,  which  without  the  enemy's 
firing  another  shot,  went  to  Genl.  Scott  early  the  next 
morning,  that  is,  the  same  morning  we  were  relieved 
in  the  trenches. 

Col.  Bankhead's  report,  giving  only  the  names  of 
the  officers  who  were  in  the  trenches  the  first  day,  has, 
I  hear,  been  published;  his  excuse  for  not  mentioning 
all  was,  that  he  had  forgotten  the  names  of  the  others — 
a  pretty  excuse  to  be  sure,  as  it  could  have  been  so 
easily  rectified.  He  promised  to  make  a  fuller  report 
on  reaching  Washington  when  he  would  name  all  the 
commanders  of  the  batteries.  Enough  of  Vera  Cruz, 
and  enough,  I  must  say,  for  to-night. 

Tuesday,  June  2nd.  As  Major  Wade  was  absent 
from  the  garrison  all  the  morning  I  could  not  go  out 
till  late  this  afternoon.  My  first  visit  was  to  Maj. 
Kirby,  and  whilst  he  was  engaged  in  business,  I  went 
into  another  room  to  see  Capt.  Myers.  The  Capt. 
has,  by  a  fall,  I  fear,  injured  himself  so  that  he  will  walk 
lame  for  the  rest  of  his  life;  the  knee-pan  seems  to  be 
detached  from  its  proper  position. 

The  Major  and  I  sallied  out  sight-seeing  and  we 
saw  what  were  great  curiosities  to  me,  viz.,  figures  of 
Mexican  Indians  made  of  prepared  linen;  the  counte 
nances  were  very  expressive.  One  was  a  group  of  three 
figures — a  drunken  man,  his  neck  too  limber  to  support 
his  head ;  next  is  his  mother  perfectly  enraged  at  him, 
and  intent  upon  administering  chastisement  on  her 
foolishly  good-humored  son,  which  she  is  prevented 


An  Artillery  Officer 

from  doing  by  her  daughter-in-law  who  holds  her 
arm. 

A  second  group  is  an  Alcalde,  administering  a  lecture 
to  a  man  whose  wife  is  in  tears  on  the  other  side  of 
the  Alcalde,  who  is  seated  between  the  other  figures 
who  are  standing.  Should  we  ever  have  peace  I  must 
bring  you  some  of  the  curiosities  of  these  singular 
people — many  of  them  I  shall  have  to  abandon  an 
attempt  to  carry,  from  the  difficulty  of  packing  them 
safely  for  so  long  a  journey. 

Col.  Pierce  Butler  informed  me  this  afternoon  that 
one  of  his  Captains  was  about  returning  home,  and 
that  if  I  would  send  any  letters  to  his  quarters  he  would 
with  pleasure  give  them  in  charge  of  his  Captain. 
I  thanked  him  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart  and  will 
hand  this  letter  to  him. 

Thus  far  no  means  have  been  devised  to  secure 
the  safe  transmission  of  our  letters,  and  we  catch 
eagerly  at  any  opportunity  which  seems  to  offer  a 
chance  delivery  of  them.  We  may  get  another  mail 
by  some  nine  hundred  recruits  who  are  expected  from 
the  United  States  via  Vera  Cruz,  but  with  that  excep 
tion,  we  see  no  prospect  of  any  other,  till  the  President 
sends  us  an  addition  to  our  small  but  invincible  band. 

Had  we  30,000  men  and  Genl.  Taylor  20,000,  the  War 
might  soon  be  closed.  Our  Govt.  should  remember 
and  act  vigorously  upon  the  advice  given  by  Father1 
to  it  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  Florida  War.  I 
must  leave  a  little  clear  space  for  to-morrow. 

Genl.  Scott's  Office,  June  3rd.  Being  on  guard  at 
the  General's  Hd.  Qrs.,  I  must  close  my  letter  to-night 
for  the  mail  which  leaves  to-morrow,  without  being 

'Genl.  Clinch. 


In  Mexico  X97 

able  to  add  as  much  to  it  as  I  had  designed.  As  Capt. 
Huger  and  some  others  are  waiting  to  avail  them 
selves  of  the  candle-light  which  I  am  using,  courtesy 
and  fellow-feeling  prompt  me  to  close  at  as  short  a  time 
as  possible. 

I  have  no  other  news  to  give.  Col.  B.  has  left 
our  quarters,  much  to  our  satisfaction,  and  taken 
up  his  abode  in  a  corner  of  the  Palace.  Col.  Butler 
has  again  urged  me  to  confide  my  letter  to  his  "  Cap 
tain,"  who  hopes  to  raise  a  party  at  Jalapa  sufficiently 
large  to  march  with  safety  to  Vera  Cruz.  We  shall 
have  in  a  few  days  an  addition  of  2000  men  to  our 
present  command  in  addition  to  those  you  see  mentioned 
as  coming  from  the  United  States. 

NO.  14.      PUEBLA. 

June  4th.     Friday  night. 

Although  very  tired  and  sleepy  from  my  necessary 
wakefulness  last  night,  I  cannot  retire  without  having 
a  little  chat  with  you.  All  were  disappointed  in  not 
witnessing  yesterday  the  great  ceremonies  usually  per 
formed  in  Catholic  communities  on  that,  Corpus  Christi, 
day.  Fearful  that  they  might  be  insulted  by  our 
soldiery,  they  limited  themselves  in  the  observance 
of  their  ceremonies  to  the  walls  of  their  churches. 

Many  years  have  passed  since  I  saw  these  ceremonies, 
and  I  regret  very  much,  from  my  recollection  of  what 
I  then  witnessed  in  Bogota,  South  America  that  the 
grand  procession  was  not  made  in  all  its  splendor  through 
the  streets  here.  The  streets  through  which  the  pro 
cession  passed  were  hung  with  the  richest  cloths  and 
satins.  Everybody,  priests  and  laity,  was  dressed  as 
splendidly  as  their  own,  or  the  means  of  their  friends 
would  enable  them.  The  consecrated  wafer,  the  Host, 


198  An  Artillery  Officer 

was  carried  from  church  to  church  and  then  returned 
to  the  Cathedral. 

Yesterday,  I  was  told  that  the  ceremonies  in  the 
Cathedral  where  the  Host  was  taken  round,  were  not 
remarkably  imposing.  I  heard  this  morning,  that 
had  the  assurances  made  to  the  Clergy  night  before 
last,  that  they  would  neither  be  insulted  nor  molested 
in  any  way  by  our  men,  been  given  the  night  before, 
the  procession  would  have  taken  place,  but  after  the 
notices  there  was  not  time  for  the  necessary  prepara 
tions. 

The  rumor  of  to-day  is  that  the  Mexican  Congress 
have  declined  accepting  Santa  Anna's  resignation. 
They  are  determined  to  thrust  the  Presidency  upon  him. 
One  thing  looks  unpromising  for  the  Mexican  Nation 
in  this,  that  it  seems  they  look  to  him  and  him  alone, 
it  may  be  said,  for  their  salvation  from  our  power. 
From  the  reputation  Santa  Anna  purchased  by  his 
bravery,  zeal,  and  skill  in  their  internal  broils,  the  Mexi 
cans  ought  to  regard  him  as  one  of  their  greatest  men. 

In  his  controversies  with  the  Texans  and  his  battles 
with  us,  the  splendor  of  his  star  has  been  somewhat 
tarnished.  He  may  now  make  desperate  efforts  to 
regain  his  lost  brilliancy.  Nous  verrons.  He  has  a 
very  prudent,  brave,  and  skilful  adversary  to  cope 
with.  Enough  for  to-night. 

Saturday  night,  June  5th.  Rumor  says  that  Santa 
Anna  insists  upon  his  resignation  being  accepted,  and 
that  he  has  asked  for  his  passports  to  enable  him  to  leave 
the  country.  As  I  have  a  long  report  to  make  to-night 
to  present  to  Genl.  Worth  in  the  morning,  in  relation 
to  the  case  of  a  Mexican  sabred  by  a  soldier,  I  must  be 
very  brief.  I  am  on  duty  to-day,  as  Division  Officer 


In  Mexico  199 

of  the  Day,  having  been  thus  honored  in  consequence 
of  my  being  placed  on  duty,  as  Acting  Major  of  the 
Regt.  !  !  !  A  great  honor,  Acting  Major  to  three 
companies.  To-morrow  I  will  make  amends  for  this 
brevity. 

Sunday  night,  June  6th.  As  soon  as  I  heard  of  the 
arrival  of  the  mail  this  afternoon,  I  hastened  to  the 
Quartermaster's  office  and  was  there  presented  with 
a  letter  from  the  Pennsylvanian  who  was  with  me  at 
Vera  Cruz.  You  may  judge  of  my  disappointment ! 

My  friend,  Dr.  Cuyler,  has  just  sent  me  a  most 
welcome  contribution — your  letter  of  the  26th  April. 
To-night  I  can  do  no  more  than  thank  you  for  it. 

Monday  night,  June  7th.  Let  me  now  give  answers 
to  certain  queries  in  your  last  letter.  Our  arrange 
ment  in  Genl.  Worth's  Divison  is  permanent,  and 
would  only  be  altered  by  a  re-organization  of  the 
Command,  or  by  our  being  left  in  garrison.  You  need 
not  send  your  letters  under  cover  to  Col.  Hunt — if 
directed  to  me  as  ''belonging  to  the  Army"  under 
Genl.  Scott  in  Mexico  they  will  come  safely.  Our 
friend  Lt.  Brown  is  here  with  Capt.  Wells'  Co.,  the 
one  formerly  commanded  by  Lt.  Steptoe.  He  left  me 
a  few  minutes  since;  his  manner  is  always  kind  and 
affectionate.  He  always  enquires  about  you. 

Two  officers  are  now  attached  temporarily  to  "G" 
Co.,  Lt.  Andrews  and  Lt.  Shields;  the  former  performs 
the  duties  of  Asst.  Q.  M.  and  Asst.  Commissary  of  Sub 
sistence,  the  latter,  who  attends  to  Compy.  duty, 
has  applied  to  be  permanently  attached  to  the  Compy. 
Our  cousin,  Lt.  A.,  speaks  in  very  high  terms  of  Lt.  S. 
and  says  that  he  is  a  gentleman.  Lt.  A.'s  wife  is  with 


200          An  Artillery  Officer 

her  father's  family  on  Governor's  Island ;  they  have  no 
child,  having  been  unfortunate. 

I  am  rejoiced  that  your  dear  grandmother  is  well 
again  after  her  dangerous  attack.  Of  our  friend  Lt. 
Sherman  we  have  not  heard,  except  through  the  news 
paper  which  announces  his  arrival  in  California. 

Tuesday  8th.  I  hear  that  when  the  Regts.,  etc.,  now 
under  orders  for  our  Army  reach  us,  our  force  will 
amount  to  twenty  thousand  men.  Had  it  been  half 
that  on  our  arrival  here,  we  might  have  been  long 
since  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  that  without  having 
to  shed  another  drop  of  blood.  Report  says  that  Genl. 
Bravo  is  now  raising  an  army  of  35,000  men,  and 
that  the  Mexicans  are  fortifying  some  points  on  the 
road.  We  have  had  so  many  Mexican  stories  about 
their  positions,  strength,  etc.,  that  I  pay  no  attention 
to  any  that  I  hear. 

Yesterday  the  Brigade  was  inspected  by  the  In 
spector  General,  Col.  Hitchcock,  and  made  a  very 
respectable  display  for  troops  in  the  field.  Genl. 
Worth  speaks  of  commencing  Division  drills  next 
week.  With  his  energy  and  thorough  knowledge, 
we  will  soon  bear  the  palm  from  all  competitors. 
Genl.  Twiggs,  not  understanding  evolutions  of  the 
Line  himself,  cannot  instruct  others.  I  may  do  him 
an  injustice;  my  remark  is  based  upon  what  I  have 
heard.  I  never  saw  him  drilling. 

I  suppose  it  certain  that  we  will  not  leave  this  place 
till  our  reinforcements  arrive.  We  are  now  strong 
enough  to  whip  any  army  the  Mexicans  can  raise. 
You  remember  Lt.  Johnson.  He  had  not,  before  the 
arrival  of  the  last  mail,  received  a  line  from  his  wife 
since  he  left  her,  and  that  mail  brought  him  information 


In  Mexico  201 

of  the  loss  of  his  little  boy.  As  he  is  a  Christian,  he 
bears  it  well.  Feeling  confident  that  his  child  is  now 
a  happy  angel  in  the  presence  of  God,  he  grieves  not 
for  it.  He  says  that  preceding  letters,  giving  an  ac 
count  of  the  illness,  etc.,  must  have  been  miscarried,  as 
his  wife  writes  of  it  as  an  event  some  time  past.  He 
says  that  her  letter  is  what  it  ought  to  be — that  she 
is  very  pious,  and  sets  him  a  good  example.  We  all 
sympathize  very  sincerely  with  him. 

A  letter  from  Tampico  informs  us  that  Mrs.  Gates 
has  presented  the  Col.  with  a  little  Mexican  daughter. 
It  has  raised  him  a  couple  of  inches  higher.  Capt. 
Burke  is  under  orders  for  our  Army;  he  ought  to  be 
at  Vera  Cruz  now,  as  his  orders  are  dated  April  27th. 
Think  of  the  Capt.  as  Commander  of  the  3rd ! 

Among  the  oddities  of  the  Mexicans,  I  have  not 
mentioned  that  small  pieces  of  soap  are  current  coin, 
instead  of  the  smallest  copper  coin,  dico,  worth  half  a 
cent.  In  market  I  frequently  see  the  soap  given  as 
change. 

Wednesday,  gth.  A  little  fatigued  from  a  day's  hard 
work.  I  was  congratulating  myself  about  9  o'clock 
this  morning  that  I  would  have  a  quiet  day  in  which 
I  could  write  a  few  letters  to  Larz  and  to  two  or  three 
others  to  whom  letters  are  due,  when  my  designs 
were  suddenly  crushed  by  an  order  to  march  the  Regt. 
to  the  exercise  ground  and  there  to  drill  at  battalion 
drill  till  Col.  Garland's  arrival.  Major  Wade  was 
absent  on  Court-Martial,  so  that  I  had  to  play  Colonel. 

I  had  been  drilling  but  a  few  minutes  when  Genl. 
Worth  and  the  Inspector  Genl.  Hitchcock  showed 
themselves  among  the  spectators.  The  remaining 
Regiments  of  the  Brigade  soon  came  on  the  ground, 


An  Artillery  Officer 

and  we  took  our  positions  in  Line.  Col.  Garland  now 
took  command  and  kept  us  on  the  field  until  half  past 
one  o'clock — a  pretty  good  day's  work. 

On  Saturday  the  Division  will  be  reviewed,  man 
oeuvred  by  Genl.  Worth.  We  are  already  cautioned 
to  take  our  canteens  filled  with  water  and  lunch  in  the 
haversacks;  we  shall  have  no  child's  play  then.  Of 
news  we  have  not  heard  a  word  to-day.  To-morrow 
we  may,  probably,  hear  from  Genl.  Child's  Command 
mentioned  in  my  last  letter. 

Mr.  N.  P.  Trist,  the  special  and  most  Extraordinary 
Minister  of  President  Polk,  is  in  the  city.  I  have  not 
heard  him  mentioned.  Everybody  thinks  he  is  here 
on  a  fool's  errand,  and  that  he  had  better  go  home  as 
soon  as  possible. 

By  the  way,  I  was  very  much  astonished  at  meeting 
our  Tampa  Bay  Sutler  in  the  streets  here  a  day  or 
two  since.  He  left  his  wife  at  Tampa,  and  has  come 
out  to  see  if  he  can  collect  some  money  due  him  by 
some  of  the  8th  Infy.  Companies.  I  asked  him 
if  he  had  sold  the  articles  left  by  me  with  him.  He 
said  that  he  sold  nearly  everything  at  excellent  prices, 
and  that  he  had  directed  Mr.  Ferris  to  sell  the  remainder 
at  auction  on  some  court  day,  and  to  remit  you  the 
amount. 

Poor  Mr.  Clark  has,  I  fear,  come  on  a  wild  goose 
chase,  as  no  one  knows  when  the  men  will  be  paid  off. 
The  Captains  of  Companies  are  generally  anxious  that 
the  men  should  not  be  paid  whilst  in  a  large  city,  as 
drunkenness  and  broils  will  take  place,  and  we  shall 
have  Mexican  soldiers  murdered. 

What  do  you  think  of  an  American  Theatrical 
Company  opening  in  the  City  of  Puebla!!  I  saw  to 
day  a  notice  that  the  Theatre  would  be  opened  in  a 


In  Mexico  2°3 

day  or  two  by  Messrs.  Wells  and  Hart.     Enough  for 
to-night. 

June  loth.  I  have  been  here  so  long  that  I  feel 
that  I  have  seen  enough  of  the  people  to  describe  some 
of  their  peculiarities.  They  exhibit  a  greater  fondness 
for  children  than  any  people  I  ever  saw.  I  do  not 
think  you  can  point  out  any  article  used  by  grown 
persons  of  which  I  can  not  shew  you  its  miniature 
among  the  playthings.  Of  dolls — wax,  wood,  and 
rag — there  are  thousands,  from  the  very  smallest 
to  our  common  sizes.  The  Indians  bring  in  the 
rudest  and  most  ludicrous  representations  of  animals 
you  can  conceive  of.  Of  saint  and  of  soldier  you  may 
purchase  a  collection  not  very  flattering  to  the  vanity 
of  either. 

In  preserves  (this  word  does  not  embrace  the  in 
finite  variety  of  articles  prepared  with  sugar  we  find 
here),  the  Spanish  people,  I  presume,  excel  all  other 
people.  The  common  sponge-cake  sold  in  the  streets 
is  generally  excellent;  then  you  find  figs,  dates,  and 
various  kinds  of  rinds,  exceedingly  well  preserved; 
again  you  find  other  sweetmeats,  of  which  milk  is  a 
component  part.  Their  candied  fruit  is  very  good. 
I  hope  that  on  our  return  I  may  find  transportation 
for  a  box  or  two  of  these  articles  for  you. 

The  toys  and  dukes  are  exhibited  for  sale  under  the 
arcades  of  the  large  houses  separated  by  streets  from 
the  Plaza  where  the  market  is  held.  The  market  is 
to  strangers  a  great  curiosity,  being  held  in  a  large 
open  square.  On  examining  closely  you  will  find  that 
in  the  seeming  disorder  and  confusion  there  is  much 
method. 

Along  the  outer  side  of  the  square,  and  indeed  out- 


204  An  Artillery  Officer 

side  of  the  square,  and  encroaching  on  the  sidewalks, 
you  find  Mexican  crockery,  plates,  dishes,  cups,  bowls, 
water  jars,  baskets  (willow)  of  sizes  from  large,  three 
and  a  half  feet  in  diameter,  flat  ones,  to  those  three 
inches  in  diameter,  and  matting  from  coarse  to  quite 
pretty. 

The  first  row  inside  is  corn,  spread  out  in  large 
piles  on  matting;  next  to  this  you  find  onions,  large 
and  white  as  snow,  tomatoes,  generally  of  the  wild 
kind,  green  and  about  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  some 
coarse  kind  of  greens,  parsley,  etc. 

Next  are  some  women  who  have  their  charcoal 
furnaces  at  work  cooking  and  selling  various  Mexican 
stews,  etc.;  here  you  may  buy  from  this  girl,  who 
removes  a  dirty  cloth  from  the  top  of  the  basket  near 
her,  tortillas  made  of  corn  soaked  in  lime  mashed 
by  a  roller  on  a  large  flat  stone  prepared  for  that  pur 
pose,  and  then  baked.  She  is  too  dirty,  or  at  all 
events  the  cloth  which  keeps  her  tortillas  hot  is  too 
dirty — let  us  pass  on. 

On  the  next  row  among  the  onions,  cabbages, 
tomatoes,  large  and  small  (I  have  not  seen  any  of  the 
beautiful  golden  tomatoes  here),  radishes  (very  large, 
and  good),  turnips,  squashes,  peas,  carrots,  you  may 
perchance  see  some  of  your  old  acquaintances,  but  so 
disguised  that  you  will  scarce  recognize  them;  those 
shining  sleek  objects  are  sweet  potatoes,  boiled  and 
sweetened  by  some  sugaring  process,  and  those  crooked, 
mammoth  pods,  six  and  eight  inches  long,  are  said 
to  be  ochre.  I  have  not  seen  an  uncooked  one  in  market. 

In  the  next  row,  you  find  fruits,  baskets  of  pears, 
mostly  green,  indifferent  peaches,  apples  and  cherries, 
Mamaias  in  abundance,  small  apricots,  sapotes  both 
green  and  blue  (neither  good  for  anything),  alligator 


In  Mexico  2°5 

pear,  and,  for  a  rarity,  here  is  a  woman  who  has  some 
mushrooms. 

Under  that  awning,  you  find  oranges,  limes,  musk- 
melons,  watermelons  (six  cents  a  slice),  goat's  cheese, 
eggs,  chocolate  makers,  coarse  wooden  spoons,  etc., 
and  pears  and  apricots  which  you  can  buy  cheaper 
from  the  market  women  farther  back. 

Passing  a  little  higher  up  in  this  row,  and  around 
the  fountain  in  the  centre  of  the  square,  you  find  cook 
ing  utensils,  earthen  and  iron,  and  near  by,  the  chickens, 
turkeys,  and  pigeons.  Those  piles  of  white  chalky- 
looking  substance  are  lime,  used  in  cooking,  etc.  On 
Thursday,  the  great  market  day,  you  find  piles  of  beans 
of  all  colors  and  sizes.  Flowers  are  also  seen  frequently 
in  Market — pinks  appear  to  be  favorites.  I  have 
omitted  bananas  and  plantains,  cocoanuts  and  pine 
apples.  The  cocoanut  is  very  fine,  but  I  think  the 
plantain  the  best  fruit  I  have  seen.  I  have  also  omitted 
the  fruit  of  the  cactus,  two  kinds,  green  and  purple. 
Peppers  abound  always.  These  are  in  little  piles 
on  matting — the  women  sitting  by  them  in  a  way 
peculiarly  Mexican,  on  their  legs  doubled  under  them ; 
all  sit  in  that  way. 

Friday,  nth.  I  am  truly  thankful  that  there  is  a 
prospect  of  our  having  another  mail.  Genl.  T.,  I  hear, 
received  information  from  Genl.  Childs  to-day,  that 
Genl.  Cadwalader  was  on  his  way  from  Vera  Cruz, 
and  that  he  would  come  up  with  him.  Genl.  Cad 
walader  must  certainly  bring  a  mail,  and  that  mail 
must  certainly  bring  a  letter  from  you.  When  this 
poor  scrawl  is  to  start  on  it's  way  to  you  I  cannot  say. 
As  yet,  I  see  not  the  glimmer  of  a  chance. 

Genl.  Santa  Anna,  finding  that  the  Mexican  Congress 


206          An  Artillery  Officer 

kept  his  resignation  under  consideration  four  days, 
and  that  they  did  not  promptly  urge  him  to  remain  in 
power,  on  the  end  of  this  month  withdraws  his  resig 
nation.  The  plea  he  gives  is  twofold;  first,  that  the 
American  Army  may  be  expected  to  advance  on  the 
Capital  at  any  moment,  and  that  it  would  endanger 
the  Country  for  us  to  do  so,  whilst  the  Congress  is  either 
organizing  a  new  Govt.  or  before  the  new  President  has 
had  time  to  make  necessary  arrangements  for  defence; 
secondly,  that  he  has  received  from  all  sides  the  most 
urgent  entreaties  to  remain  in  power,  etc.,  etc.  The 
document,  his  resignation,  and  the  reports  of  his  con 
duct  at  Cerro  Gordo  and  Amozoc  have  done  him  no  good. 
They  have  lowered  him  very  much  in  my  estimation. 

To-morrow  is  to  be  Genl.  Worth's  big  day.  He  is  to 
inspect,  review,  and  drill  our  Division.  I  saw  him 
this  afternoon,  and  told  him  that  I  had  heard  of  better 
ground — he  said  that  it  was  better,  but  not  so  public. 
So  he  flatters  himself  that  we  will  make  a  good  show. 
I  hope  that  he  may  not  be  disappointed.  I  will  write 
the  result.  As  we  have  to  rise  very  early  to-morrow 
to  prepare,  I  must  retire  to  bed  early,  and  will  now 
take  my  leave  for  the  night. 

Saturday  evening,  I2th.  Our  field  day,  as  the  English 
call  it,  is  passed.  The  Division  made  very  pretty 
display,  while  halted.  But  I  cannot  say  much  that 
is  favorable  for  their  marching — but  allowance  must 
be  made;  how  can  it  be  otherwise,  with  troops  who 
have  never  been  properly  instructed.  Muskets  placed 
in  their  hands  as  soon  as  they  join  the  Compy.,  and 
probably  placed  on  guard  the  next  week,  these  men  at 
once  fancy  that  they  are  soldiers,  and  that  they  know 
everything  about  their  duties.  Such  a  course  would 


In  Mexico  207 

ruin  any  recruits.  The  crowd  of  spectators  was  very 
large,  embracing,  I  was  glad  to  hear,  some  of  the  best 
families  of  the  City;  among  them  was  the  Lt.  Gov.  of 
this  State.  Genl.  Worth  did  not  inspect  and  he  kept 
us  out  but  a  short  time.  This  was  in  consequence  of 
his  not  feeling  well  enough  to  take  the  Division  through 
many  manoeuvres. 

I  see  by  some  of  the  papers  received  by  the  last  mail, 
that  Duncan's1  Regt.  is  not  among  those  ordered  ta 
join  Genl.  Scott's  Army.  Duncan  will  therefore  be 
with  your  brave  old  Zach.  Where  he  is,  or  what  he 
is  doing,  I  know  not.  I  presume  that  they  are  much 
better  informed  upon  these  points  in  the  Cities  of  Mexico 
and  Washington,  than  we  are  here. 

I  have  not,  I  think,  told  you  of  the  fate  of  my  letter 
No.  ii.  It  was  given  to  a  Mexican  who  has  been  at 
tached  to  Genl.  Worth  for  several  months;  this  man 
returned  last  week  very  much  emaciated,  the  Genl. 
says,  and  reports  that  he  was  taken  prisoner,  carried 
to  some  place  off  the  main  road,  and  that  he  secreted 
the  mail  where  no  one  could  get  it.  He  was  thought 
ful  enough  to  return  to  the  Genl.  a  letter  he  had  written 
to  Mrs.  W.  Now,  how  my  trusty  Mexican  could 
abstract  that  letter  from  the  others  without  his  being 
seen,  I  cannot  conceive,  unless  he  was  very  badly 
guarded,  in  which  case  he  might  have  escaped  sooner. 
At  all  events  No.  II  is  destined  to  remain  in  Mexico. 

I  do  not  remember  any  incidents  of  much  interest 
contained  in  that  letter,  but  the  foolish  Donquixotish 
march  of  Santa  Anna  to  the  neighborhood  of  Amozoc 
the  day  we  lay  there  (i5th  May)  and  his  retreat  back 
again.  With  the  usual  mendacity  of  his  reports, 
he  says  that  he  bantered  us  to  fight  in  the  open  field 

1  Mrs.  Anderson's  brother. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

which  we  declined.  What  fools  he  must  take  Mexicans 
to  be — they  know  that  he  had  a  large  body  of  Cavalry, 
and  as  we  had  only  two  squadrons,  if  he  had  desired 
an  engagement,  he  must  have  attacked  our  Infantry. 
He  took  precious  good  care  to  keep  out  of  the  way  of 
our  Infy.  and  his  Cavalry  rapidly  dispersed  on  receiving 
a  few  shells  in  their  midst  from  Col.  Duncan's  Battery. 
The  less  his  biographers  say  of  "Amozoc"  the  better 
for  his  Milty.  reputation.  His  coming  down  was  a 
silly  and  unmilitary  proceeding. 

Another  statement  he  makes  is  also  false — that  a 
train  of  two  hundred  wagons  was  coming  towards 
Amozoc  with  a  very  light  escort,  and  that  it  was  his 
intention  to  cut  it  off,  but  the  train,  instead  of  marching 
at  the  usual  hour,  broke  up  its  last  camp  very  early 
in  the  night,  and  thus  got  into  a  secure  position  before 
he  reached  them.  No  train  of  wagons  came  up  but 
the  one  accompanying  Genl.  Quitman's  Brigade,  which 
was  amply  strong  to  have  whipped  the  General's 
Cavalry.  But  enough  of  correction — I  am  not  engaged 
in  writing  a  history  of  the  War,  but  merely  make  these 
corrections,  to  let  you  see  how  untrue  will  be  the  Mexi 
can  Official  documents  on  this  War. 

I  hope  that  our  historians  will  give  us  the  truth, 
even  were  it  to  make  us  feel  a  little  sore — but  thus  far, 
we  have  nothing  to  fear.  Our  course  has  been  plain — 
very  few  acts  have  been  committed,  even  by  the  Vol 
unteers,  which  have  required  and  received  chastisement. 
But  I  am  devoting  too  much  space  to  my  evening's 
speculations  and  must  now  bid  you  good-night. 

Sunday,  I3th. 

My  kind  friend  Major  Wade,  having  nothing  to  do, 
has  been  polite  enough  to  devote  all  the  evening  to  me, 


In  Mexico  2°9 

and  leaves  me  now  at  an  hour  so  late  that  I  am  de 
prived  of  the  pleasure  of  a  long  chat  with  you  to-night. 

I  have  not  been  in  the  City  to-day,  and  have,  besides 
attending  to  my  proper  duties,  written  letters ;  one  to 
Larz  partly  on  business,  one  to  Mr.  Austen,  another  to  a 
Mr.  Oliphant,  both  of  Uniontown,  Pa.  Mr.  A.'s 
letter  to  me  was  full  of  thanks  for  my  "kind  attentions" 
to  him  at  Vera  Cruz,  and  urging  me  to  pay  him  a  visit 
with  my  family.  Mr.  Oliphant  wrote  to  ask  me  whether 
Mr.  A.  had  been  with  me  at  the  siege,  and  in  what 
capacity  he  served. 

The  news  is  to-day  that  a  party  of  3000  horsemen  have 
gone  on  the  road  towards  Vera  Cruz  for  the  purpose 
of  procuring  subsistence  and  also  to  intercept  the 
train  of  wagons,  sent  from  this  place  a  week  since. 
They  will  catch  a  tartar. 

The  Mexican  papers  publish  a  letter  from  Mrs. 
Col.  Childs  to  her  husband  which  contains  some 
political  remarks  which  her  husband  would  rather  not 
see  in  print.  She  speaks  of  President  Polk  and  says 
that  his  course  is  driving  many  of  his  old  friends  to 
the  support  of  Genl.  Taylor.  This  letter  was  taken 

from    the    saddle-bags    of    a    Col. who   was 

coming  on  as  a  bearer  of  despatches,  and  who  rode  with 
the  advance  guard,  instead  of  remaining  with  the  main 
body  of  his  escort.  I  hope  that  he  had  none  of  your 
letters.  I  shall  know  in  a  few  days.  The  Mexican 
paper  states  that  they  have  a  large  bundle  of  letters. 
The  vandals  should  send  all  private  letters  to  the 
Army — no  civilized  soldiery  should  violate  the  sanctity 
of  family  correspondence.  At  Cerro  Gordo  I  saw  a 
letter  addressed  to  Genl.  Santa  Anna,  the  seal  of  which 
had  not  been  broken.  Enough  for  to-night.  May 
God  continue  to  protect  and  guard  you. 
14 


210          An  Artillery  Officer 

Monday,  I4th. 

My  birthday.  How  can  I  better  commence  this 
day's  letter  than  by  thanking  our  Heavenly  Father 
for  all  His  mercies  towards  me  and  mine,  and 
praying  Him  that  He  may  continue  to  guard 
and  protect  us,  and  long  before  another  year  passes, 
that  it  may  please  Him  to  unite  us  together.  What 
would  I  not  give  to  have  had  you  with  me  to-day! 
This  afternoon,  I  accidentally  went  to  my  old 
friend's,  Capt.  Irwin,  and  there  found  another  class 
mate,  Capt.  Huger,  and  a  party.  Some  one  mentioned 
that  it  was  my  birthday,  and  my  good  friend,  contrary 
to  my  entreaties,  brought  out  a  bottle  of  good  old 
Madeira,  to  drink  to  my  health.  And  as  far  as  friend 
ship  could  go,  all  was  well  and  happy. 

But  what  was  this  to  me,  when  I  thought  of  those 
who  were  far,  far  away.  This  is  peculiarly  to  me 
a  day  for  home  thoughts  and  home  feelings.  Think 
not,  my  wife,  that  those  thoughts  make  me  feel  sad  and 
lonely.  That  it  is  in  a  measure  so,  is  true;  but  still 
it  is  not  a  sadness  without  a  light  of  pleasure.  Hope 
tells  me  that  we  cannot  be  much  longer  separated,  and 
that  then  my  joy  will  be  so  great  that  I  will  count  as 
nothing  all  the  little  discomforts,  etc.,  during  our  separa 
tion.  God  grant  that  I  may  very  soon  be  restored  to 
you.  As  I  shall  probably  close  this  letter  to-morrow, 
that  it  may  be  ready  for  any  mail  that  may  go  out, 
and  that  I  may  commence  another,  I  shall  close  for 
to-night.  No  news  from  the  Mexican  Army  to-day — 
the  fact  is  they  can't  keep  up  an  Army. 

Tuesday,  I5th. 

The  report  alluded  to  in  my  scribblings  of  the 
I4th  has  been  contradicted,  and  then  re-asserted. 


In  Mexico 


To-day  't  is  said  that  Genl.  Valencia  has  a  rabble  of 
badly  armed  and  undisciplined  men  in  the  City  of 
Mexico  awaiting  us,  about  16,000  —  that  their  boasted 
fortifications  along  the  route  will  be  easily  mastered. 

My  opinion  about  reports  taken  even  to  Hd.  Qrs. 
is  that  they  are  frequently  carried  by  men  out  of  em 
ployment,  who  hope  by  their  pretended  assiduity  and 
zeal  to  secure  employment  in  some  capacity  with  the 
Army.  Other  reports  are  doubtless  fabricated  in 
the  Mexican  Camp  and  sent  out  to  produce  an  effect 
on  their  countrymen,  or  to  attempt  to  deceive  us. 
I  therefore  rarely  think  it  necessary  to  report  the  rumors 
of  the  day,  and  then  hear,  a  day  or  two  after  I  have 
heard  them,  the  latest  news  from  Mexico,  or  from  the 
Mexican  Army. 

I  am  rejoiced  that  I  can  say  that  I  now  daily  witness  the 
verification  of  my  prediction  about  the  change  of  feeling 
which  Genl.  Scott's  course  would  work  in  the  Army. 
I  hear  every  day  the  strongest  expressions  of  admira 
tion  and  implicit  confidence  expressed  towards,  and  in 
him,  by  men  who  a  few  short  weeks  since  received  a 
toast  alluding  to  his  gallant  services  during  the  last 
war  with  chilling  coldness. 

Dr.  Tripler,  who  has  just  left  me,  says  that  he 
heard  Genl.  Twiggs  (not  notorious  for  speaking  well 
of  his  superiors)  say  that  he  considered  Genl.  S.  one  of 
the  greatest  generals  of  the  age,  that  Genl.  Taylor 
ought  not  to  be  mentioned  in  the  same  day  with  him. 

I  am  thus  particular  in  dwelling  on  this  subject 
because  I  know  how  much  pleasure  and  satisfaction 
these  facts  will  give  you.  Father  knows  the  Genl. 
as  well,  indeed  -much  better  than  I  do,  and  he  will  not 
be  astonished  that  at  every  battle,  and  by  every 
important  movement,  he  gains  warm  friends. 


212  An  Artillery  Officer 

Genl.  Worth  is,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  not  well.  He 
looks  very  badly,  and  told  me  this  morning  that  he 
had  no  appetite,  and  could  scarcely  bear  the  sight  of 
food.  When  we  get  into  active  motion  again,  the 
Genl.  will  brighten  up  again,  but  were  we  to  remain 
inactive,  he  would,  I  fear,  soon  break  down. 

Genl.  Cadwalader  and  Genl.  Shields  will  be  up  in  a 
few  days.  I  do  not  see  what  can  be  done  with  Genl. 
Shields — should  he  be  sufficiently  restored — as  it 
seems  to  me  that  his  commission  as  an  officer  of  the 
Army  expired  with  the  term  of  service  of  the  Volun 
teers  who  were  called  out  last  year. 

I  do  not  see  as  much  of  some  of  the  Vols.  as  I  ought, 
and  as  would  be  agreeable  to  me.  But  on  returning 
from  our  morning  drills,  I  feel  so  tired,  that  I  generally, 
instead  of  visiting  after  dinner,  indulge  in  a  siesta. 

Col.  Butler  has  been  remarkably  kind  in  making 
frequent  calls,  and  I  have  been  to  see  him  but  once. 
I  will  call  to-morrow  to  see  him.  He  informs  me  that 
Genl.  Butler  was  most  anxious  to  have  me  with  him, 
but  I  am  almost  certain  that  I  mentioned  this  subject 
in  a  previous  letter. 

The  Editors  have  followed  us  to  this  place,  and 
issued  on  the  I2th  inst.  the  first  number  of  American 
Star — No.  2.  If  anything  of  interest  should  be  treated 
of  in  the  papers,  I  will  send  them.  This  first  number  is 
filled  with  an  order  publishing  the  Military  laws  passed 
by  the  last  Congress,  and  by  late  news  from  the  United 
States,  and  would  furnish  you  with  not  one  line  of 
interesting  reading. 

An  anecdote  is  told  of  Genl.  Scott  which  should  be 
mentioned.  As  he  was  coming  to  this  place  with  an 
escort  of  only  four  Companies  of  Cavalry,  the  advance 
guard  sent  a  messenger  to  report  to  the  Genl.  that  the 


In  Mexico  2I3 

Mexicans  were  approaching  in  large  force.  The  Genl. 
was,  when  the  messenger  came  up,  engaged  in  con 
versation  with  some  officers,  and  simply  directed  the 
messenger  to  report  to  Col.  Harney.  Those  present 
say  that  he  evinced  not  the  least  concern,  and  having 
sent  the  man  to  the  Commanding  Officer,  he  resumed 
his  conversation  as  if  nothing  had  occurred. 

And  now  in  fact  No.  14  must  be  closed.  No.  15  will 
be  commenced  to-morrow,  and  will,  I  fear,  be  finished 
also  before  this  goes. 

June  1 8th.  I  have  just  heard  that  a  mail  will  be 
sent  to-morrow.  Nothing  of  much  interest  since  the 
last  date  of  this  letter.  No.  15  is  not  sufficiently 
advanced  to  commence  its  journey. 

No.  15.    PUEBLA,  MEX. 

Wednesday,  June  16,  1847.  ' 

This  has  been  an  interesting  rumor-day.  We  hear 
that  Col.  Mclntosh,  on  his  way  up  with  seven  hundred 
men,  was  repeatedly  attacked,  and  that  at  the  National 
Bridge,  affairs  were  so  serious,  that  he  halted  and  sent 
back  to  Genl.  Cadwalader,  whom  he  was  preceding, 
for  reinforcements.  The  two  commands,  Cadwal- 
ader's  and  Mclntosh's,  would  arrive  last  night,  report 
says,  at  Jalapa. 

If  the  report,  of  Col.  M.'s  being  compelled  to  wait 
for  relief,  be  true,  I  fear  it  will  raise  the  spirits  of  the 
guerrilla  parties,  and  will  cause  us  a  great  deal  of  annoy 
ance.  It  is  said,  too,  that  the  Mexicans  have  become 
so  daring  in  Vera  Cruz,  that  they  take  mules  from  the 
pens.  Col.  Wilson  should  give  them  one  or  two  shells 
from  the  Castle,  if  the  City  authorities  do  not  put  a 
stop  to  such  proceedings. 


2I4  An  Artillery  Officer 

Last  night,  too,  was  not  to  be  devoid  of  interest. 
One  Alcalde  deserted,  taking  with  him  half  the  City 
guard.  These  are  small  affairs,  and  will  have  no  effect 
on  our  Military  operations.  Genl.  Scott  strikes  at  higher 
game,  and  will  not  harass  his  troops  by  sending  out 
marauding  parties.  He  will,  I  presume,  quietly  and 
steadily  make  his  preparations,  and,  at  the  proper 
moment,  strike  a  blow  at  the  great  City. 

I  give  you  all  the  rumors  reported  to  me.  I  have  not 
sifted  them  to  find  out  how  little  of  truth  there  is  in 
them.  Subsequent  parts  of  this  letter  will  tell  how  well 
the  false  and  the  true  are  blended  together. 

Last  night,  just  as  I  had  finished  No.  14,  I  received  a 
long  note  from  Lt.  Judd,  requesting  my  approval  of 
an  accompanying  application  for  a  transfer  to  Bragg's 
Compy.  I  returned  the  application  with  a  polite 
note,  wishing  him  distinction,  etc.,  and  declining  to 
have  anything  to  do  with  it.  Although  I  do  not  care 
about  having  him  in  the  Compy.,  he  has,  as  I  think, 
been  so  long  engaged  in  various  schemes  to  keep  away 
from  it,  that  his  transfer  shall  come  without  my  sanc 
tion,  if  he  get  it  at  all. 

I  saw  our  ''innocent  friend,"  Lt.  Hall,  to-day.  He 
does  not  look  in  good  health.  I  enquired  about  his 
mother,  from  whom,  he  tells  me,  he  has  not  heard 
for  a  long  time. 

I  have  looked  in  nearly  all  the  principal  stores  in 
Puebla,  and  I  cannot  find  a  fine  Mexican  blanket  as 
small  as  I  wish.  If  I  cannot  get  one  in  the  City 
of  Mexico,  you  shall  have  a  large  one  I  bought 
a  day  or  two  since.  It  is  a  very  neat  pattern,  much 
prettier  than  the  gaudy  ones  I  frequently  see  here. 

In  describing  the  dress  of  the  Mexicans,  I  find,  by 
further  observation,  I  have  not  noticed  one  style  of 


In  Mexico  2I5 

female  attire  worn  by  some  of  the  " tortilla*'  sellers, 
who,  instead  of  wearing  petticoats,  wrap  around  their 
waists  a  piece  of  blanket,  which  sometimes  appears  to 
be  scant  of  going  once  and  a  half  around  them.  Their 
black  hair  is  passed  in  a  coil  around  the  largest  part  of 
the  head,  and  is  frequently  interwoven  with  red  cotton. 
I  have  not  seen  a  bonnet  in  Puebla — all,  rich  and  poor, 
wear  shawls,  or  ribosas  on  the  head. 

Of  beggars,  this  place  has  a  large  supply,  and  they  are 
the  most  importunate  scamps  I  ever  saw.  Some  repeat 
something  like  a  petition  urging  the  gift  of  alms  for 
some  Saint's  sake,  which  they  commence  before  you 
get  to  them,  and  continue  with  after  you  pass. 
Others  are  silent,  and  merely  extend  the  hand.  There 
are  very  few  who  cannot  support  themselves,  were  they 
inclined  to  do  anything,  but  they  find  it  easier  to  beg 
than  to  labor  for  the  little  money  they  need  to  purchase 
what  will  clothe  and  feed  them. 

Thursday,  1 7th.  The  correction  of  yesterday's  rumor 
is — that  Col.  Mclntosh's  command  has  dwindled  from 
seven  to  three  hundred.  It  seems  that  he,  instead  of 
being  kept  at  bay  by  the  enemy,  drove  them  back 
every  time — that  a  few  of  his  men  were  wounded  and 
that  he  lost  a  few  mules.  He  parked  his  train  and 
sent  back  for  reinforcements,  because  he  did  not  know 
what  force  might  be  brought  against  him. 

Genl.  Scott  is  reported,  by  Mr.  Judd,  to  have  said 
to-day,  that  he  had  promised  some  of  the  gentlemen 
another  fight,  but  that  as  the  news  to-day  was  more 
favorable,  he  was  afraid  there  would  not  be  another. 

We  had  another  Brigade  drill  to-day,  under  Col. 
Garland.  Major  Wade  not  being  very  well,  threw  the 
command  of  the  Regt.  on  me  again.  About  a  mile  and 


An  Artillery  Officer 

a  half  from  the  City,  we  have  a  very  good  open  space  for 
our  manoeuvres.  To-day,  at  the  time  we  were  there, 
Lt.  Col.  Duncan's  Battery  and  Genl.  Twiggs's  Division 
were  on  the  same  plain. 

Genl.  Worth  complains  a  good  deal.  He  has  not 
been  well  since  he  has  joined  our  Army.  With  his 
imprudence  in  eating,  and  in  improperly  exposing 
himself,  I  see  but  little  chance  of  his  getting  well.  We 
are  very  much  in  want  of  his  instruction.  He  has 
only  been  in  the  field  in  command  of  his  Division  once. 
Genl.  Twiggs  drills  his  Division  six  days  in  the  week. 
Good-night. 

Friday  1 8th.  Two  very  interesting  visitors  have  been 
in  my  room  all  the  evening,  and  have  just  left  me. 
Their  conversation  has  been  so  animated,  that  now 
that  they  have  left,  so  strong  a  reaction  has  taken 
place,  that  I  am  almost  ready  to  fall  asleep  with  the 
pen  in  my  hand.  No  news  of  consequence  to-day. 

I  read  this  afternoon  an  address  to  the  Mexican 
Nation  by  "An  officer  of  the  United  States  Army" 
(Col.  Hitchcock)  which  some  think  will  produce  good 
results.  He  traces,  in  a  very  simple  and  clear  manner, 
the  origin  of  the  independence  of  Texas — shews  that 
it  was  actually  achieved  by  Texans  themselves,  that 
the  cause  of  our  citizens'  taking  such  lively  and  active 
interest  in  the  difficulties  between  Mexico  and  Texas 
was  the  cruel  and  inhuman  butchery  of  Col.  Fannin's 
party,  who  surrendered  under  a  promise  that  they 
should  be  sent  to  the  United  States. 

States  that  Texas  had  been  independent  of  Mexico 
for  the  period  of  ten  years,  when  the  United  States 
acknowledged  her  independence,  which  we  had  pre 
viously  refused  to  acknowledge.  That  Texas,  being 


In  Mexico  217 

independent,  had  a  right  to  act  as  she  pleased  on  the 
question  of  Annexation,  and  that  we  had  a  right  to 
receive  her. 

Throws  the  origin  of  the  War  on  the  Mexicans,  in 
their  actual  attack  on  Genl.  Taylor.  Traces  the  pro 
gress  of  the  War,  and  in  giving  their  reverses,  very 
modestly  points  out  the  great  disparity  of  our  num 
bers,  and  gives  instances  of  the  false  reports  of  Santa 
Anna. 

States  our  anxiety  for  peace,  and  in  contradiction 
of  our  hostility  to  their  religion,  states  that  our  Comdg. 
Genl.  lost  an  accomplished  and  lovely  daughter  who 
died  in  a  Convent,  receiving  all  the  rights  of  the  Catho 
lic  religion,  and  asks  whether  he  can  be  inimical  to 
that  Church,  etc.,  etc. 

I  will  send  you  one  of  the  papers  containing  this 
address  and  hope  you  may  receive  it,  as,  in  my  synopsis, 
I  have  omitted  several  important  points.  I  would 
have  left  out  a  few  sentences,  but,  as  a  whole,  I  hope 
good  results  may  spring  from  it. 

I  saw  the  Genl.  a  moment  this  morning;  he  was  very 
kind,  but  so  much  engaged  that  I  sat  only  a  moment 
with  him. 

Saturday  iQth.  I  was  startled  this  afternoon,  by 
an  annunciation  by  one  of  the  officers  that  a  mail  was 
to  be  sent  to  Vera  Cruz.  No.  14  was  rapidly  closed, 
after  adding  a  line  or  two  of  this  day's  date,  and  I 
hurried  down  to  the  Post  Office  with  it.  Much  to  my 
regret  the  Postmaster  knew  nothing  of  the  mail's 
reported  leaving.  I  then  went  to  Genl.  Hd.  Qrs.  and 
there  ascertained  that  there  was  no  prospect  of  a 
mail's  being  sent  for  an  indefinite  period.  My  poor 
letter  now  rests  quietly  amid  the  leaves  of  my  old 


An  Artillery  Officer 

portefeuille :  and  I,  with  scarce  a  hope  of  your  seeing 
for  many  long  months  my  daily  scribblings,  return, 
because  it  makes  me  happier  to  do  so,  to  my  evening 
chat  with  you. 

To-day  I  have  been  trying  a  Mexican  pony,  which, 
if  he  had  pleased  me,  the  Quarter-Master's  Dept.  would 
have  paid  for — I  being  entitled  to  a  horse,  as  Acting 
Major.  I  did  not  like  him, — indeed,  I  do  not  fancy  the 
gait  of  any  of  these  horses.  They  are  ridden  with  very 
severe  bits,  which,  by  little  more  than  the  pressure  of 
the  little  finger  on  the  rein,  will  bring  the  horse  upon 
his  haunches  from  a  gallop.  As  the  Mexicans  use 
enormous  spurs,  between  them  and  the  bit,  the  horse 
moves  as  if  ready  at  any  moment  to  come  to  a  dead 
halt,  producing  a  kind  of  gait  perfectly  enchanting  to 
the  Mexican  dandy. 

No  news  to-day  from  any  quarter.  Last  evening 
orders  were  sent  to  all  our  commands,  that  patrols 
should  be  kept  out  constantly  during  the  night.  This 
is  intended  to  pick  up  our  men  who  may  remain  out 
of  their  quarters.  One,  a  Volunteer,  was  murdered 
last  night.  He  had  no  right  to  be  out  at  night.  These 
patrols  may  also  catch  any  re-enforcements  who 
desire  to  join  the  Alcalde.  I  wonder  if  he  was  not 
driven  away  by  being  compelled  to  transact  business 
with  our  Lt.  Col.  If  he  treated  him  as  uncivilly  and 
insultingly  as  he  did  some  of  our  Regt.  whilst  under 
his  dynasty — he  will  not  conciliate  a  single  Mexican 
who  transacts  business  with  him. 

My  Sub-Lt.  Andrews  has  just  left  me.  I  was  glad  to 
see  him,  as  he  is  unwell  and  feels  homesick  and  lonely. 
His  disease,  jaundice,  always  prostrates  the  energy 
and  spirits  of  a  man.  The  whole  Army  seems  to  be 
acclimating,  as  the  sick  lists  of  all  our  commands  are 


In  Mexico  2I9 

large — that  of  "G"  Co.  is  slowly,  I  hope  permanently, 
decreasing. 

Sunday,  June  2Oth.  Another  week  has  passed,  and 
God  has  been  pleased  to  return  me  to  my  Sunday 
evening's  chat  with  you,  in  the  enjoyment  of  excellent 
health.  My  implicit  confidence  in  Him  renders  me 
much  less  dissatisfied  with  my  lot  than  I  would 
otherwise  be.  I  feel  and  thank  Him  for  it  daily,  that 
He  guards  and  protects  my  treasures — that  that  pro 
tection  is  as  certain  and  continued  during  my  absence 
as  whilst  I  am  with  you.  May  our  hearts  be  ever  full 
of  gratitude  and  thanks  to  Him,  and  may  He  soon 
lead  us  into  His  fold.  I  did  not  go  to  church  to-day, 
though  I  ought  to  have  gone  this  afternoon,  as  there 
was  preaching  at  Genl.  Hd.  Qrs.  by  a  Chaplain  appointed 
to  the  8th  Regt.  Infy.  under  the  last  law. 

Army  reports  are  to-day  important,  and  in  some 
instances  conflicting;  for  instance,  one  report  states 
that  Genl.  Taylor  has  been  captured  by  Genl.  Bravo, 
near  Saltillo;  another,  that  having  withdrawn  all  his 
force  from  the  upper  part  of  the  Rio  Grande,  he  is 
now  with  his  Army  at  Brazos  Santiago — his  destination, 
probably,  Vera  Cruz.  The  first  report  is  not  credited 
by  any  American,  and  probably  by  no  Mexican  of 
common-sense;  the  latter  may  be  partly  true.  We 
want  all  the  force  we  can  get;  the  larger  the  strength 
of  our  Army,  the  more  important  will  be  the  results 
of  our  operations  and  the  sooner  will  a  peace  be  made. 

Another  rumor  says  that  Genl.  Urea  arrived  last  night 
at  Nopolucan  (about  forty-five  miles  hence)  on  his  way 
to  meet  Genl.  Cadwalader  and  Lt.  Col.  Childs.  He  is 
said  to  have  5000  men,  Infy.  and  Cavalry,  with  two 
pieces  of  Arty.  'T  is  also  said  that  we  have  lost  another 


220          An  Artillery  Officer 

mail  and  that  Mr.  N.  P.  Trist  has  been  writing  infor 
mally  to  the  British  Minister  in  Mexico,  and  that  he  is 
now  about  communicating  officially  with  him.  I  may 
even  think  with  some  little  patience  of  his  acts,  if 
they  lead  to  an  honorable  peace — though  I  shall  always 
entertain  and  express  my  opinion  of  the  wrong  done  to 
Genl.  Scott  in  this  affair,  of  a  Special  Minister  being 
with  an  Army  in  the  field,  the  Genl.  being  at  its  head. 
Have  I  not  given  you  Army  rumors  enough  for  one 
day?  I  think  so,  and  I  shall  therefore  omit  some  of 
smaller  calibre  which  have  been  thrown  into  our  midst. 
As  my  letters  will  probably,  by  the  time  they  are  sent 
off,  fill  a  good-sized  octavo,  I  think  I  must  write  less 
daily  than  has  been  my  habit.  Good-night. 

Monday,  2ist.  Our  soldiers,  tinder  the  influence  of 
liquor,  forget  they  are  in  an  enemy's  city,  occasionally 
stay  out  of  their  quarters  all  night,  and  are  found  in 
the  morning  either  killed  or  badly  wounded — the  latter 
is  the  case  with  one  of  the  Germans  who  joined  me  at 
Tampa  Bay.  I  hope  it  may  prove  a  good  lesson  to 
the  other  men. 

The  Mexicans  have  been  tampering  with  our  soldiers. 
A  Milty.  Commission  is  in  session  to-day  investigating 
the  case  of  a  German  and  a  Mexican,  who  are  accused  of 
enticing  our  men  to  desert.  The  German  is  stated  to 
have  been  a  Capt.  in  the  Mexican  Army  at  Cerro 
Gordo  and  was  arrested  by  a  Sergeant  of  the  8th 
Infy.,  who  had  been  told  by  some  privates  that  the 
German  had  given  them  handbills  printed  in  German, 
addressed  to  the  Germans  in  our  Army,  and  urging 
them  to  desert  with  their  horses  and  arms.  If  the  fact 
be  proved  and  he  is  condemned  by  the  Court,  he  dies. 

Yesterday,    Genl.   Alvares  appeared   in   the   plain, 


In  Mexico 


some  miles  from  the  City,  with  a  large  body  of  Cavalry. 
We  are  so  poor  in  Cavalry,  that  we  can  use  that  Arm 
for  few  other  purposes  than  reconnoissances  and  in 
pursuit  after  battle.  We  cannot  send  out  a  force  to 
meet  one  of  any  respectability.  Where  we  are  with 
such  an  Army  as  we  ought  to  have,  say  of  20,000,  we 
should  have  about  2000  excellent  Cavalry. 

I  paid  Col.  Butler,  South  Carolina,  a  visit  yesterday 
afternoon;  he  introduced  again  the  subject  of  Genl. 
W.  0.  Butler's  conversation  with  him  relative  to  my 
joining  him;  he  is  very  much  worried  that  the  Adjt. 
Genl.  did  not  make  me  the  offer.  I  cannot  see  why 
Genl.  Jones  did  not.  I  fear  that  Genl.  Butler  will 
think  that  I  received  his  request,  and  that  I  have 
treated  him  discourteously  in  not  having,  at  least, 
thanked  him  for  the  honor  he  did  me  by  having  made 
me  so  kind  an  offer.  If  I  knew  where  he  was,  I  should 
at  once,  that  is  to  say,  by  the  first  mail,  write  to  him. 

Genl.  Scott  with  Col.  Hitchcock  and  one  of  his 
Aide-de-Camps  came  in  whilst  we  were  at  the  Colonel's. 
The  Genl.  is  pretty  well,  but  says  he  is  dying  for  want 
of  exercise. 

Yesterday  a  party  of  eight  gamblers  went  about 
fourteen  miles  into  the  country  to  buy  mules;  this 
morning  two  returned  wounded,  and  reported  that  they 
were  attacked  by  about  eighty  Mexican  soldiers  and 
that  the  others  they  supposed  were  killed,  or  taken 
prisoners.  Their  going  so  far  with  so  few  men,  was 
an  act  of  suicidal  madness  and  folly. 

I  drilled  the  Regt.  this  morning.  Major  W.  went  out 
as  a  looker-on.  He  says  that  he  has  not  drilled  a 
battalion  for  twenty  years  and  that  he  is  too  nervous 
to  undertake  it  now.  I  am  anxious  for  him  to  take 
command,  as  comments  will  be  made  if  he  does  not. 


222  An  Artillery  Officer 

Certainly,  Genl.  Cadwalader  will  arrive  in  two  days 
and  then  I  shall  hear  from  you.  God  grant  that  you 
will  continue  to  cheer  me  with  a  continuation  of  good 
news.  Good-night. 

Tuesday,  22nd.  Blessings  come  and  rest  upon  the 
head  of  our  Genl.!  I  heard  this  afternoon,  confi 
dentially  (of  course  I  may  tell  you),  that  the  Genl.  is 
about  making  arrangements  for  having  our  mails 
carried  and  brought.  He  is,  I  hear,  afraid  that  he 
will  have  to  pay  more  than  may  be  agreeable  to  the 
Govt.  But  it  cannot  be  that  to  save  a  few  thousands  a 
month,  our  Govt.  would  be  willing  to  have  all  commun 
ication  with  our  Army  cut  off.  Certain  it  is  that  no 
one  who  has  relatives  or  friends  in  our  Army,  will  ob 
ject  to  any  sum  Genl.  Scott  may  find  himself  com 
pelled  to  pay.  Humanity  demands  this  measure,  as 
peace  may  be  declared  without  our  knowing  anything 
of  it. 

Genl.  C.  has  not  arrived.  The  Milty.  Commission 
have  sent  their  proceedings  to  Genl.  Scott  in  the  case 
of  the  German  but  the  Genl.  has  not  acted  on  them. 
We  have  had  no  rumors  of  any  consequence  to-day. 
In  your  letter  after  you  receive  this,  I  wish  you  to  send 
me  the  size  of  your  hand  and  foot,  as  I  may  find  some 
gloves,  etc.,  in  Mexico,  that  would  be  curiosities.  The 
gold  embroidery  of  Puebla  is  richer  and  more  beautiful 
than  any  I  ever  saw,  but  it  is  said  that  the  embroidery 
of  the  City  of  Mexico  surpasses  this. 

As  the  Pay  Dept.  will  probably  have  no  more  funds, 
whilst  we  are  in  this  country,  than  to  supply  us  only 
occasionally  with  a  month's  pay,  I  may  be  compelled 
to  be  more  economical  than  I  otherwise  would  be. 
But  I  intend,  as  far  as  my  means  may  permit,  to  bring 


In  Mexico  223 

you  specimens  of  curiosity  and  of  interest  from  this 
country. 

Do  urge  the  American  peace  party  to  receive  with 
warm  hearts  the  first  whisperings  of  peace  from  these 
deluded  people,  who  seem  not  to  think  that  each  month 
adds  to  our  strength  and  weakens  theirs.  Every  emi 
grant  who  follows  our  Army  comes  as  no  friend  of  Span 
ish  supremacy  in  this  Country.  I  have  a  faint  hope 
that  in  my  letter  to-morrow  night,  I  may  thank  you 
for  a  letter,  or  letters.  I  will  at  all  events  retire  with 
that  delightful  expectation.  Good-night,  God  bless 
and  protect  you. 

Wednesday,  23rd.  Vain  hope — no  mail — no  news  of 
the  approach  of  Genl.  Cadwalader.  A  command  has 
been  sent  to  meet  him,  and  to  bring  the  mail,  but  it 
has  not  returned.  To-day  I  have  been  pretty  con 
stantly  engaged  in  attending  to  my  duties  of  Division 
Officer  of  the  Day,  an  honor  to  which  I  am  elevated 
by  my  useless  assignment  as  Acting  Major.  I  left  my 
quarters  at  nine  this  morning  to  report  to  Genl.  Worth ; 
from  his  quarters,  I  proceeded  on  horseback  to  visit 
the  different  regiments  and  guards  of  the  Division, 
and  did  not  return  till  about  two. 

This  is  very  different  from  the  daily  routine  of  duty 
I  used  to  attend  to  at  Tampa  Bay.  At  eight  I  visit 
such  parts  of  the  Command  as  I  think  proper.  But 
instead  of  being  Officer  of  the  Day  every  other  day,  I 
am  here  every  tenth  day. 

One  of  the  Guerrilla  captains  was  recognized  and 
taken  in  the  City  to-day.  It  would  have  been  well 
if  he  had  been  shot  in  the  act  of  being  taken,  but  I  do 
not  see  that  we  can  do  otherwise  with  the  legalized 
robber  than  to  keep  him  in  prison.  I  have  no  doubt 


224  An  Artillery  Officer 

that  the  City  is  daily  visited  by  these  men.  But  they 
can  do  but  little  more  than  gratify  their  curiosity  by 
these  visits,  as  our  guards  are  so  strong  and  our  troops 
so  well  posted  that  they  will  not  attempt  to  commit 
any  depredations  on  our  property  or  persons. 

Lit.  Judd  has  been  transferred  to  Briggs's  Compy. — 
thus  have  the  "G.V  lost  his  valuable  services  for 
ever.  I  shall  probably  get  Lt.  Burton  in  his  place. 
As  Lt.  B.  is  in  California  I  am  not  likely  to  see  him  for 
a  long  time;  this  I  do  not  regret,  as  Lt.  Shields,  the 
2nd  Lieut,  of  the  Compy.,  is  efficient  and  active. 

The  men  are  now  nearly  all  well — the  poor  little 
drummer  boy  is,  and  has  been  for  several  days,  very 
ill.  He  is  better  to-day  than  he  was  yesterday,  and 
will,  I  hope,  recover.  The  wounded  man  is  also  doing 
well;  his  injuries  were  not  very  grievous.  Good-night, 
etc. 

Thursday,  24th.  This  is  the  anniversary  of  the  birth 
of  one  of  my  brothers.  'T  is  a  great  day  with  the  Catho 
lics — birthday  of  John  the  Baptist — and  especially 
charming  to  children.  Nearly  all  the  boys  I  have  seen 
in  the  streets  to-day  are  attired  as  officers  or  soldiers — 
hats,  caps,  coats,  flags  (Mexican  and  a  few  American), 
wooden  guns,  pikes,  and  swords  are  found  everywhere 
on  the  little  strutting  heroes.  It  is  delightful  to  see 
the  joy  of  the  little  ones.  How  you  would  enjoy 
seeing  them ! 

This  morning  a  note  was  received  from  Genl.  Crit- 
tenden,  stating  that  he  had  met  with  serious  opposition 
all  the  way  from  Vera  Cruz,  and  that  he  would  leave 
Perote  this  day.  He  cannot  reach  us  sooner  than  the 
2Qth  or  3Oth.  The  note  gave  no  particulars;  it  was 
written  on  a  very  small  piece  of  paper,  and  was  brought 


In  Mexico  225 

by  a  Mexican,  concealed  in  some  part  of  his  dress. 
We  are  nearly  as  much  in  doubt  as  before.  We  do 
not  know  whether  he  has  lost  any  of  his  men,  whether 
he  brings  a  mail.  And.  on  a  very  important  point, 
we  also  long  for  information,  whether  he  brings  a  very 
large  sum  of  money. 

The  Pay  Dept.,  instead  of  using  its  funds  in  paying 
the  men,  is  letting  the  Commissary  and  Quartermaster's 
Depts.  use  them  in  procuring  food  for  man  and  beast. 
Genl.  Worth  is,  I  am  happy  to  say,  much  better  than 
he  was  when  I  mentioned  him  a  few  days  ago.  He 
says  that  one  or  two  days  in  the  saddle  will  make  him 
as  well  as  ever.  Something  may  have  occurred  this 
morning,  peculiarly  agreeable  to  him — he  is  a  man  of 
powerful  impulses. 

To-morrow  I  will  be  engaged  in  some  serious  matters, 
I  presume,  as  I  am  a  member  of  a  Council  of  War  to 
convene  early  in  the  morning.  Capt.  W.  C.  De  Hart 
is  our  Recorder — we  could  not  have  a  better.  Lt. 
Col.  Garland  is  the  President,  Capt.  F.  Taylor  is  a 
member.  I  do  not  know  of  what  number  the  Council 
is  composed,  as  I  have  not  been  furnished  with  the 
order.  More  of  this  hereafter. 

Since  I  have  recovered  from  the  Perote  chill,  I  find 
the  temperature  here  very  agreeable.  The  night  is 
cool  enough  to  sleep  under  a  blanket  and  in  the  day 
time  you  are  but  little  incommoded  by  the  heat  of 
the  sun,  and  you  always  find  it  pleasantly  cool,  either 
in  the  shade  of  the  street  or  in  the  house. 

It  rains  now  daily,  either  between  three  and  five 
P.M.  or  at  night.  The  Mexicans  tell  me  that  the  rainy 
season  continues  till  October.  But  this  is  spoken  of 
as  the  rainy  month.  The  muskmelons  have  disap 
peared  from  the  market;  I  find  nothing  new  but  a 
is 


226  An  Artillery  Officer 

fruit  called  mango,  which  I  have  not  tasted.     Good 
night. 

Friday,  25th.  The  Council  of  War,  Col.  Clarke  (in 
place  of  Col.  Garland,  sick),  Bvt.  Lt.  Col.  C.  F.  Smith, 
Maj.  Bainbridge,  Captains  Anderson  and  F.  Taylor, 
were  in  session  this  morning.  The  case  before  us  is 
that  of  a  Mexican  attempting  to  get  one  of  our  men  to 
desert.  The  evidence  does  not  seem,  thus  far,  to  be 
conclusive. 

The  session  of  another  Court  near  us  has  been  of 
greater  interest  than  our  own.  A  Court  of  Inquiry, 
composed  of  Maj.  Genl.  Quitman,  Brig.  Generals 
Twiggs  and  Persifer  Smith,  met  this  morning  on  the 
application  of  Bvt.  Maj.  Genl.  Worth  to  investigate 
his  conduct  in  some  particulars  of  his  command  here, 
for  which  he  had  been  censured  by  his  old  patron  and 
most  steadfast  friend,  Genl.  Scott.  As  we  were 
necessarily  engaged  in  our  own  duties,  I  was  not  in  the 
Court  of  Inquiry  long  enough  to  hear  the  points  of 
the  case;  but,  from  some  of  Genl.  Worth's  remarks, 
I  infer  that  Genl.  Scott  disapproved  of  certain  Articles 
of  Agreement  with  the  City  Authorities  under  which 
Genl.  Scott  thinks  we  entered  this  City,  by  which  the 
cases  of  some  Mexicans  were  tried  before  their  own 
authorities  for  murdering  a  soldier. 

Genl.  Scott  having,  in  his  order  declaring  Martial 
Law  to  govern  in  all  the  places  occupied  by  our  troops 
in  Mexico,  decided  that  all  similar  cases  should  come 
before  Military  Commissions.  These  Articles  of  Agree 
ment,  if  sanctioned  by  Genl.  W.,  necessarily  and  of 
course  rescinded  Genl.  Scott's  orders. 

Another  case  is,  I  hear,  of  more  recent  occurrence. 
While  I  was  Officer  of  the  Day  on  the  I4th  inst.  an  Irish- 


In  Mexico  227 

man  came  into  our  quarters  to  warn  us  against  allowing 
our  men  to  buy  articles  from  the  Mexican  women,  who 
have  their  little  market  in  front  of  our  quarters,  stating 
that  he  had  been  informed  by  a  very  respectable  Mexi 
can  lady,  that  the  women  put  something  poisonous 
in  what  they  cooked. 

I  did  not  credit  the  story,  as  none  of  our  men  had  com 
plained  of  being  made  sick,  and  I  had  never  seen  any  of 
the  women  selling  any  cooked  articles  to  the  soldiers — 
and  again  the  whole  story  seemed  improbable,  that  a 
parcel  of  poor  women,  trying  to  make  a  little  money 
by  selling  their  fruits,  etc.,  should  make  such  an  attempt, 
the  detection  of  which  would  be  certain  and  easy  and 
the  punishment  of  which  must  be  so  severe.  Of  so 
little  consequence  did  I  think  the  man's  story  that  I 
did  not  allude  to  it  in  reporting  to  Genl.  Worth  the 
next  morning — thinking  it  unnecessary  to  trouble  him 
with  an  idle  tale. 

Three  days  after,  we  received  a  circular  from  Genl. 
W.  stating  that  he  had  received  information  from  a 
source  entitled  to  full  credit,  that  certain  Mexicans 
were  mixing  poison  with  the  food  sold  to  our  soldiers, 
and  urging  the  soldiers  to  confine  themselves  to  their 
rations  and  not  to  purchase  any  articles  of  food  from 
the  Mexicans. 

Two  or  three  days  after  the  receipt  of  this  circular, 
an  order  came  from  Genl.  Worth,  stating  that  in  obedi 
ence  to  instructions  from  the  Genl.  in  Chief  all  copies 
of  his  previous  circular  should  be  withdrawn  and  re 
turned  to  his  office.  This  is,  I  believe,  Article  of  In 
vestigation  No.  2.  How  many  others  there  are,  or 
whether  I  am  right  in  the  above,  I  do  not  now  posi 
tively  know.  But  I  will  give  you  further  particulars  as 
I  learn  them. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

This  difficulty  is  deeply  to  be  regretted,  but  that 
Genl.  Scott  is  right  in  the  matter,  I  do  not  doubt. 
The  Mexicans  may  try  to  make  capital  of  it,  but  they 
will  find,  that  though  Genl.  W.  may  be  disposed  to 
kick  at  the  traces,  he  will  draw  like  a  true  horse  when 
work  is  to  be  done.  Enough  for  to-night.  Good-night. 
God  be  with  you. 

Saturday,  the  26th.  We  finished  the  Mexican's  case 
to-day.  In  the  Court  of  Inquiry,  I  hear  that  Genl. 
Worth  proposed  a  question,  which  after  deliberation  the 
Court  refused  to  put  to  the  witness.  The  Genl.  then 
stated  he  had  no  further  questions,  whereupon  the  Court 
adjourned  till  nine  to-morrow.  Major  Kirby  says  that 
there  is  so  much  bitterness  between  the  parties  that 
this  split  is  for  ever.  All  regret,  deeply  regret  it. 

No  news  from  Mexico.  Though  for  the  last  two  or 
three  days  we  have  had  rumors  here  that  Mr.  N.  P. 
Trist  is  in  correspondence  with  Mexican  Commis 
sioners;  doubtful. 

Genl.  S.  received  a  letter  from  Genl.  Cadwalader 
informing  him  that  he  had  received  instructions  from 
Genl.  Pillow  to  remain  at  Perote  till  Genl.  Pillow's 
arrival — the  reasons  for  these  instructions,  Genl.  P. 
states,  "he  cannot  now  give."  Thus  is  the  arrival  of 
Genl.  Cadwalader  with  the  long  desired  mail  indefi 
nitely  postponed.  We  are  truly  unfortunate,  and  have 
only  one  source  of  consolation  in  this  affair,  which  is, 
that  Genl.  Pillow  may  bring  us  a  later  mail  from  the 
United  States  than  Genl.  Cadwalader  has. 

I  ought  to  receive  a  letter  from  you  up  to  the  2Oth 
of  May  informing  me  of  your  arrival  and  domestica 
tion  in  your  summer  quarters.  I  feel  some  anxiety 
to  hear  what  arrangements  your  Grandmother  makes 


In  Mexico  229 

for  the  summer,  who  is  to  remain  with  her,  etc.  Your 
letters  will  have  answered  all  my  surmises  long  before 
you  receive  this. 

The  weather  here  is  very  pleasant  for  us  who  are 
housed,  but  with  these  daily  or  nightly  rains,  must 
be  exceedingly  disagreeable  for  those  who  are  in  tents. 

Sunday,  27th.  I  sat  two  or  three  hours  this  after 
noon  with  my  most  kind  friend  Genl.  S.  and  though  the 
news  communicated  to  me  was  strictly  confidential, 
you  may  without  breach  of  confidence  be  made  my 
confidante  of  the  heads  of  it.  The  Secy.  Br.  Legation 
left  here  night  before  last.  Mr.  N.  P.  Trist  has  entered 
upon  his  duties  as  Commissioner — his  letter  has  been 
received  by  the  Govt.  Congress  is  not  now  in  session, 
but  Genl.  Santa  Anna  is  attempting  to  reassemble 
them  in  order  to  refer  the  question  to  them. 

He  has  expressed  himself  in  favor  of  having  a  Com 
missioner  appointed  to  meet  Mr.  Trist  but  will  not  assume 
(indeed  he  is  expressly  forbidden  by  an  Act  of  Congress 
to  do  so)  the  responsibility  of  making  such  appointment. 
Mr.  Trist  having  forwarded  in  a  proper  letter  the  docu 
ments  presenting  him  in  his  official  capacity,  Genl.  S. 
immediately  acknowledges  their  receipt,  and  recog 
nizing  him  as  deputed  with  high  powers  states  that 
he  is  willing  to  confer  with  Mr.  Trist,  either  by  writing 
or  orally,  on  all  questions  entrusted  to  him.  Of  course 
until  this  offer  is  disposed  of,  or  at  all  events,  for  a  reason 
able  time,  we  are  fast  here.  God  in  His  infinite  wisdom 
incline  the  hearts  of  both  Nations  to  peace.  With  what 
gratitude  shall  I  receive  the  joyful  news  that  the  war 
is  over,  and  that  orders  are  out  for  my  return  to  my 
blessed  home.  I  am  not,  however,  sanguine;  a  com 
menced  negotiation  does  not  necessarily  end  in  peace. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

I  hope  that  the  United  States  will  be  generous  and 
liberal  in  her  terms — she  may  well  be  so.  Much  care 
must  be  taken  to  soothe  Mexican  pride,  which  has  been 
sorely  wounded.  We  should  be,  we  CAN  be  magnani 
mous,  without  our  motives  being  misunderstood.  I 
also  read  Genl.  S.'s  reply  to  a  very  impertinent  letter 
from  Mr.  T.  (alluded  to  in  a  previous  letter) ;  it  is  cruelly 
severe — I  do  not  see  how  Mr.  T.  can  ever  look  the 
Genl.  in  the  face.  He  closes  by  telling  him  never 
again  to  dare  to  write  to  him  in  that  manner,  etc. 

The  proceedings  of  our  Council  in  the  Mexican's 
case  are  published — he  was  acquitted.  To-morrow,  we 
have  a  Belgian  before  us — the  proof  will,  I  fear,  be 
very  direct,  in  his  case — persuading  to  desert  and 
offering  to  buy  all  horses,  arms,  etc.,  which  might  be 
brought  by  deserters.  This  letter  will  probably  tell 
the  result  of  his  trial. 

No  information  of  the  South  Carolinian  (Capt. 
Kirshaw)  who  took  charge  of  No.  13,  sent  on  the  4th 
inst.  You  may  have  received  it  by  this  time.  I  pray 
God  that  the  day  may  soon  come  when  we  may  at  last 
have  regular  mails  giving  good  news  from  home. 
Good-night,  etc.,  etc. 

Monday,  28th.  I  hear  to-day  that  the  mail  which 
left  on  the  4th  is  on  its  way  back  to  us.  How  deeply 
do  I  regret  this,  as  I  know  that  you  will  be  exceedingly 
anxious  and  uneasy  at  not  hearing  from  me.  You 
will  not  be  able,  I  know,  to  banish  your  apprehensions. 

Here  I  am  in  excellent  health,  and  almost  free  from 
the  annoyances  of  the  rumors  of  war,  and  yet  I  cannot 
get  a  letter  to  you,  nor  can  I  receive  one  from  you  as 
soon  as  it  ought  to  come.  But  as  yet  they  do  come,  and 
I  am  most  truly  grateful  for  that  blessing. 


In  Mexico  23i 

We  did  not  commence  the  trial  of  the  Belgian  this 
morning,  but  propose  taking  his  case  up  to-morrow. 
I  have  been  amused  to-day  in  listening  to  the  various 
rumors  about  the  negotiations.  Everybody  seems  to 
believe  that  something  is  in  the  wind,  and  all  are  so 
deeply  interested  that  it  seems  cruel  to  withhold  light 
from  them,  when  I  find  them  standing  in  the  dark — 
but  I  cannot  say  a  word  which  will  let  them  think  I 
know  anything  about  the  true  state  of  facts. 

The  Court  of  Inquiry  in  Genl.  Worth's  case  ad 
journed  this  morning.  Their  opinion  has  not  yet 
been  published.  With  our  mail  of  the  4th  inst.  went 
Genl.  Scott's  application  to  be  relieved  from  the  com 
mand  of  this  Army.  As  it  is  rumored  that  we  are 
to  receive  large  re-inforcements  and  a  large  remittance 
of  money,  the  Genl.  may  think  proper  to  suspend  his 
application  for  the  present.  He  has  good  cause  of 
complaint. 

Tuesday,  29th.  We  tried  the  Belgian  to-day.  We 
meet  again  to-morrow  morning  but  hope  that  we  may 
not  have  to  take  up  a  new  case.  I  omitted  to  mention 
the  fate  of  the  two,  German  and  Mexican,  tried  before 
the  first  Council:  the  German  was  condemned  to  be 
shot,  but  Genl.  Scott,  on  the  recommendation  of  the 
majority  of  the  Court,  founded  on  a  belief  of  the  partial 
insanity  of  the  man,  remitted  the  sentence.  The 
Mexican  was  acquitted. 

I  have  heard  nothing  more  of  the  mail  arrangement. 
'T  is  said  that  a  large  train  will  be  sent  to  Vera  Cruz 
soon  after  the  arrival  of  Genl.  Pillow.  Rumor  states 
to-day  that  the  Mexican  Congress  is  in  session.  I  hope 
that  this  may  be  true,  though  I  expected  that  a  longer 
time  would  be  necessary  to  reassemble  them. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

Genl.  S.  told  me  that  he  had  received  very  kind 
messages  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bankhead,  the  Br.  Minis 
ter  and  his  wife.  The  Secy,  of  Legation  seemed  to 
feel,  on  the  questions  of  our  relations  with  Mexico, 
more  like  an  American  than  an  Englishman.  Genl. 
S.  also  received  a  very  kind  and  complimentary  letter 
from  the  Commander  of  the  British  fleet  off  Vera  Cruz, 
and  from  a  son  of  Sir  Robert  Peel,  on  board  one  of  the 
vessels.  The  fact  is,  that  when  anything  great  and 
glorious  is  effected  by  our  Arms,  John  Bull  cannot 
help  feeling  that  we  are  flesh  of  his  flesh;  jealousy,  for 
the  moment,  is  conquered  by  pride. 

We  find  here  some  Englishmen,  but,  as  far  as  I  know, 
they  claim  to  be  American  citizens,  having  first  stopped 
in  the  United  States.  The  drummer  boy  is  better— 
the  Dr.  thinks  that  he  will  recover.  Good-night, 
good-night.  May  Angels  watch  and  guard  your  sleep. 

Wednesday,  June  3Oth.  Nothing  of  interest  to-day. 
The  courier  of  the  Br.  Minister  passed  through  to-day 
on  his  bi-weekly  trip  to  Vera  Cruz,  but  I  did  not  hear 
of  his  having  brought  any  news.  The  Council  of  War 
met,  and  no  other  case  being  presented,  adjourned. 

To  enable  you  to  see  me  as  I  now  live,  I  will  give  you 
a  detail  of  one  day's  doings;  here,  we  are  little  more 
than  machines — one  is  a  fair  sample  of  all.  Rising  at 
reveille,  I  take  my  usual  time  and  means  for  preparing 
for  breakfast.  As  soon  as  I  complete  my  toilette, 
about  half -past  six,  I  leave  my  room,  and  walk  for  half 
an  hour  till  breakfast,  which  consists  ordinarily  of 
toast,  coffee,  and  eggs  (eighteen  and  three  quarters  or 
twenty-five  cents  per  dozen) ,  butter  (one  dollar  per  lb.), 
hogshead  cheese  (fifty  cents  per  lb.),  Bologna  sausage 
(fifty  cents  per  lb.),  or  soused  pigs'  feet  are  sometimes 


In  Mexico  233 

added.  The  first  three  of  the  last  articles — decided 
luxuries. 

For  drills  or  other  duties,  I  go  out  at  nine  o'clock, 
returning  to  dinner  which  is  generally  about  one  o'clock. 
It  consists  of  soup,  a  small  piece  of  salt  or  fresh  meat, 
cabbage,  rice  or  squash,  and  a  salad  of  lettuce,  tomatoes, 
and  onions.  I  omitted  to  mention  a  bad  habit  I  am 
contracting  by  order  of  my  Dr.,  that  of  taking  a  toddy 
about  eleven  o'clock. 

After  dinner,  I  take  the  Tactics,  and  generally  awaken 
from  a  pleasant  nap  about  three  o'clock.  Before 
throwing  myself  on  my  old  camp  bed,  I  usually  eat 
a  pear,  peach,  a  few  apricots,  or  a  little  of  some  of  their 
numerous  dulces.  I  have  now  some  peaches,  and  what 
I  think  are  crab-apples,  prepared  differently  from  any 
I  ever  saw  with  us;  they  are  dry  and  well  flavored; 
they  seem  to  have  been  preserved  and  then  dried. 

Afternoon  drill  takes  place  at  four,  but  as  this  is 
Compy.  or  Squad  drill,  I  have  nothing  to  do  with  it. 
At  five,  Major  Wade  generally  proposes  a  stroll,  when 
we  go  through  the  market,  and  do  what  shopping  our 
messing  requires.  We  thus  pass  an  hour  or  so,  and 
return,  taking  coffee  (tea)  at  candle-light.  Our  tea 
is  frugal,  a  cup  of  coffee,  toast,  and  a  taste  of  hogshead 
cheese,  sausage,  and  butter.  I  take  a  little  milk  after 
my  coffee.  I  then  retire  to  my  room,  and  after  a  few 
moments,  seat  myself  at  my  table  to  chat  with  you. 

This  I  continue  until  I  think  I  have  used  as  much 
space  as  can  be  spared  for  that  day's  letter,  when  I 
return  my  letter  to  my  old  trunk  and  sit  down  to  the 
study,  till  bed  time,  of  the  only  Milty.  work  I  have,  a 
treatise  on  La  petite  guerre,  translated  into  French  from 
the  German  of  Decker ;  or  if  I  have  found  any  Spanish 
proclamations,  etc.,  I  borrow  a  dictionary  and  read 


234  An  Artillery  Officer 

them,  and  then  to  bed,  when  I  always  say  our  evening 
prayers,  and  a  special  one  for  you  and  my  return  to 
you.  Good-night. 

Thursday,  July  1st.  Reports  somewhat  important 
came  to-day.  One  is  that  three  Commissioners,  Genl. 
Tornel,  ex-Secy.  War,  at  the  head,  were  appointed  to 
confer  with  Mr.  Trist;  another  that  the  troops  at 
Atlixco  under  Genl.  Alvares  and  Canalizo  have  dis 
persed,  broken  up  in  a  row  in  consequence  of  a  quarrel 
between  these  Generals. 

Genl.  Scott  received  this  morning,  a  letter  from  Genl. 
Cadwalader  stating  that  Genl.  Pillow  had  not  arrived 
at  Perote  on  the  29th.  Genl.  C.  writes  that  Genl. 
Pillow  has  about  1600  men  with  him,  Infy.  he  thinks. 
As  Genl.  Pillow  left  Jalapa  on  the  25th  he  should  have 
reached  Perote  on  the  day  of  Genl.  Cadwalader's 
report.  I  cannot  indulge  sanguinely  yet  in  the  hope 
of  peace  being  soon  proclaimed.  Were  the  idea  once 
to  take  full  possession  of  my  soul,  its  failure  of  accom 
plishment  would  be  a  very  severe  trial  of  all  my  philo 
sophy.  I  will  therefore  try  and  await  patiently  the 
progress  of  the  Negotiation,  hoping  tranquilly  that  it 
may  lead  to  peace. 

Received  this  afternoon  a  visit  from  Capt.  Danl. 
Ruggles,  U.  S.  A.,  who  requested  information  about  the 
positions  and  deeds  of  "G"  Co.  during  the  siege  of 
Vera  Cruz:  he  told  me  that  he  was  engaged  on  a  History 
of  the  War,  and  that  he  intended  being  very  particular 
and  minute  in  the  detail  of  the  operations  of  the  siege. 
I  have  copied  for  Adjt.  Austine  some  incidents  and 
dates  from  my  note-book.  His  work  will  not  be  as 
valuable  or  interesting  as  Capt.  De  Hart's — if  he  writes 
one.  Adjt.  Austine  has  just  left  my  room,  having  sat 


In  Mexico  235 

pretty  late  with  me,  obtaining  information  for  Capt. 
Ruggles.  I  will  now  retire,  leaving  a  little  corner  for 
to-morrow's  news.  Good-night. 

July  2nd.  Friend  Kirby  called  to  see  me  this  fore 
noon.  I  regret  to  hear  that  Mr.  Trist  is  seriously  sick, 
so  much  so,  that  he  can  attend  to  no  business.  This 
is  very  unfortunate,  just  at  this  time  when  he  was 
about  entering  upon  his  delicate  and  important  duties. 
Mr.  T.  has  no  funds,  it  appears,  contrary  to  our  expec 
tation.  Genl.  S.  has  offered  to  place  $250,000  in  the 
City  of  Mexico,  in'  twenty-four  hours,  subject  to 
Mr.  T.'s  order. 

News  comes  from  Mexico,  that  they  learn  by  way  of 
New  Orleans  that  Genl.  Scott  has  been  ordered  to  sus 
pend  all  further  Military  operations  till  the  arrival  of 
his  successor.  Can  it  be  possible  that  Genl.  Pillow  is 
to  be  that  successor,  that  the  fate  of  our  gallant  Army, 
the  honor  of  our  Nation  is  to  be  taken  from  the  safe 
guardianship  of  our  great  Genl.  and  intrusted  to  him 
or  to  any  other  untried  man!  I  cannot  believe  it. 
The  President  may  send  Genl.  Pillow  (his  neighbor, 
friend,  and  partner)  as  one  of  the  Commissioners — that 
would  be  honor  enough.  I  cannot  think  any  higher 
can  be  intended.  I  must  close  No.  15  and  let  it  wait 
for  a  mail,  commencing  No.  16  to-morrow. 

No.  1 6.     PUEBLA. 
Saturday,  July  3,  1847. 

Rank,  sometimes,  presents  its  possessor  advantages 
the  subordinates  cannot  secure.  I  feel  this  to-day  in 
all  its  force.  Genl.  Worth  availed  himself  of  his 
position,  in  getting  a  letter  or  two  taken  by  the 
British  Courier  to  Vera  Cruz;  we  knew  nothing  of 


236  An  Artillery  Officer 

the  possibility  of  such  a  thing  being  done,  till  the 
day  too  late.  Per  contra,  I  hear  that  the  opinion  of 
the  Court  of  Inquiry  has  been  published  at  Division 
and  Brigade  Headquarters,  and  that  it  bears  very 
heavily  on  Genl.  Worth,  censuring  him  for  the  conces 
sions  made  to  the  City  Authorities  on  our  entry  here, 
inasmuch  as  some  of  the  provisions  were  in  contradic 
tion  of,  and  actually  repealed,  Genl.  Scott's  order,  and 
also  finding  him  at  fault  in  issuing  his  anti-poison 
Circular. 

I  reported  to  the  Genl.  this  morning  as  Div.  Officer 
of  the  Day,  but  did  not  take  a  seat,  as  I  was  afraid  he 
might  allude  to  the  subject.  I  would  rather  not  con 
verse  at  all  about  the  matters  of  investigation,  at  all 
events,  I  would  prefer  postponing  it  until  the  rough 
edge  has  well  worn  down. 

Some  Mexicans  report  that  there  is  great  commotion 
and  trouble  in  the  City  of  Mexico;  but,  whether  it 
be  favorable  or  unfavorable  in  its  results  to  the  cause 
of  peace,  we  must  wait  a  day  or  two  before  we  can 
learn. 

The  newsboys  are  now  crying  through  town  a  sheet 
containing  (i)  the  letter  of  the  Mexican  Secy,  of 
Foreign  Affairs,  transmitting  it  to  the  Secretaries  of 
Congress;  (2)  Mr.  Secretary  Buchanan's  letter  inform 
ing  the  Mexican  Govt.  of  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Trist 
as  Commissioner  with  full  powers  to  conclude  a  treaty 
of  peace ;  and  also  (3)  the  Mexican  Secretary's  letter  to 
Mr.  Buchanan,  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  his  letter. 

As  the  American  newspapers  will  have  these  letters 
at  least  as  soon  as  you  receive  this,  it  will  be  useless 
for  me  to  give  even  a  synopsis  of  their  contents.  Mr. 
Buchanan's  letter,  the  first  part  of  it  particularly,  is 
written  in  good  temper  and  with  ability ;  the  Mexican 


In  Mexico  237 

letters  evince  no  bad  feeling.  The  affair,  upon  the 
whole,  I  think  bears  a  favorable  aspect.  I  have  not 
heard  to-day  from  Mr.  Trist.  The  mail  is  expected  to 
morrow. 

I  hear  that  the  troops  may  be  here  on  Monday — 
which  we  keep  as  the  4th.  A  National  Salute  to  be 
fired  at  twelve,  all  the  troops  being  under  arms,  and 
at  eight  P.M.  a  rocket  to  be  thrown  up  for  each  of  our 
States.  Query:  Will  they  give  us  rockets  for  each  of 
the  Mexican  States  we  have  annexed? 

The  sentence  of  our  " Council  of  War"  has  been 
published — the  Belgian  is  to  be  imprisoned  in  the 
Castle  of  Perote,  during  the  continuance  of  the  war 
between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  to  pay  to  the 
treasury  of  the  United  States  $300,  not  being  released 
till  this  fine  be  paid.  So  that  you  see  the  result  of 
our  deliberations  places  no  spot  of  blood  on  my  soul. 
Our  friend  is  throwing  himself  to  the  dogs  as  fast  as  he 
can.  I  have  spoken  to  him,  but 't  is  useless — my  taking 
him  to  task  would  lose  me  his  friendship,  and  result  in 
no  good.  I  deeply,  most  deeply,  regret  it;  there  is 
nothing  I  would  not  do  to  stop  him  in  his  downhill 
career. 

Sunday,  July  4th.  The  anniversary  of  our  glorious 
independence.  Many,  very  many  years  must  pass 
before  the  common  people,  the  public  of  this  miscalled 
Republic,  will  be  sufficiently  enlightened  to  enjoy  the 
blessings  of  independence.  Unfortunately,  all  attempts 
to  better  their  condition,  instead  of  being  nursed  into 
activity  in  the  schoolhouse,  and  rendered  effective  at 
the  polls,  are  christened  by  the  bloody  sword. 

This  day  is  not  unimportant  in  my  little  history, 
as,  six  months  ago,  I  crossed  the  bar  leading  from  Tampa 


An  Artillery  Officer 

Bay,  our  last  happy  home.  Will  Echo  tell  whether  the 
expiration  of  another  six  will  find  us  united?  God 
grant  that  the  action  of  the  Mexican  Congress  may  be 
of  such  character  as  to  bring  peace  among  its  other 
blessings. 

The  day  has  passed  off  pretty  well,  at  least  I  have 
heard  of  no  casualties  among  our  soldiers.  The  news 
from  Vera  Cruz  this  morning  is  highly  important — as 
we  heard  of  the  landing  there  of  Maj.  Genl.  F.  Pierce, 
with  2000  men,  and  that  he  is  to  be  followed  by  6000 
more.  These  additions  to  our  forces  will  give  us  a 
respectable  Army,  such  as  we  should  have  had  to 
commence  our  march  into  the  interior — not  large 
enough,  however,  if  the  Mexican  Congress  should 
decline  our  offer  of  peace.  We  must,  in  that 
unfortunate  event,  act  with  most  decided  energy,  and 
exercise  all  our  skill. 

I  have  not  seen  Genl.  Scott  since  the  receipt  of  this 
news,  which  I  learned  this  morning  from  Genl.  Worth. 
I  would  go  to  see  him  this  evening,  were  it  not  both 
damp  and  chilly.  To-night,  I  must  also  make  up  for 
the  last  night's  loss  of  sleep. 

Genl.  W.  stated  that  he  heard  Mr.  Trist's  situation 
was  more  than  critical.  No  news  from  the  Capital 
to-day,  and  worst  of  all,  no  mail  in.  Would  it  not  be 
too  bad  if  the  arrival  of  Genl.  Pierce  should  still 
longer  delay  Genl.  Cadwalader!  I  will  still,  though 
it  would  seem  hoping  against  hope,  try  and  hope  to 
morrow  will  bring  letters  from  you.  Good-night. 

Tuesday,  July  6th.  A  slight  chill  succeeded  by  some 
fever  kept  me  in  bed  all  day  yesterday,  and  prevented 
my  writing  to  you  last  night.  A  letter  was  received 
yesterday  from  Vera  Cruz  informing  us  that  Genl. 


In  Mexico  239 

Pierce  was  encamped  near  there  with  2500  men,  that 
he  would  march  in  a  day  or  two.  My  friend  Maj. 
Gait  conies  with  him.  Rumor  says  that  the  bands  of 
guerrillas  along  the  road  have  fallen  out  with  their 
chiefs,  whom  they  want  to  hang,  and  that  their  quarrels 
will  probably  disperse  them. 

From  Mexico,  we  have  no  news.  A  day  or  two 
should  give  us  important  items  as  Congress  may  be 
now  in  session,  and  their  decision  in  answer  to  the 
application  of  our  Govt.  will  probably  be  made  very 
soon  after  their  meeting.  The  news  of  the  landing  of 
Genl.  P.  and  of  the  expected  arrival  of  other  troops 
may  quicken  their  deliberations. 

'T  is  a  pity  that  so  many  of  our  countrymen  have 
passed  through  Vera  Cruz  and  the  unhealthy  region 
thence  to  Jalapa  at  this  season;  I  fear  that  we  shall 
lose  many  of  the  men.  Although  I  have  had  no  chill 
or  fever  to-day,  yet  having  been  up  nearly  all  day,  I 
feel  a  little  weakened  by  yesterday's  attack,  and 
think  I  had  better  retire  early.  I  will  then  wish  you 
good-night,  praying  God  to  guard  and  guide  you. 

Wednesday,  7th.  This,  which  I  expected  would  be 
my  sick  day,  has  passed  without  my  having  had  a 
return  of  my  chill,  so  that  I  hope  that  I  may  con 
sider  myself  well.  My  friends  have  been  very  kind. 
Capt.  R.  Lee  called  yesterday,  and  to-day  my  old 
friends,  Maj.  Irwin,  Col.  Smith,  Maj.  Turnbull,  Dr. 
Lawson,  etc. — have  all,  with  others,  called  to  see 
how  I  was.  Dr.  Tripler,  who  does  not  belong  to 
our  Division,  happened  to  call  the  day  I  was  taken 
sick,  and  as  our  Dr.  was  not  then  in,  I  asked  Dr.  T. 
to  prescribe  for  me,  and  thus  became  his  patient;  he 
has  been  very  attentive.  I  hope  I  may  have  an 


240  An  Artillery  Officer 

opportunity  of  shewing  my  friends  that  I  never  forget 
kindnesses. 

Genl.  Pillow  is  in  the  City  with  the  mail,  which  will 
be  delivered  early  in  the  morning,  when  we  shall  have 
a  new  Commander,  an  old  acquaintance,  Capt.  Martin 
Burke. 

Our  present  Commander  is  too  mild,  and  his  kind 
ness  and  forbearance  are  imposed  upon  by  the  young 
officers.  The  Capt.  will,  I  think,  keep  a  little  tighter 
rein. 

From  Mexico,  we  have  news;  it  is  surmised  that  the 
true  original  peace  party  wish  to  prevent  Santa  Anna 
from  having  anything  to  do  with  making  the  treaty. 
They  hope  that  some  event  may  occur  which  will  put 
him  down.  He  is  now  having  the  Army  under  his 
influence,  and  holding  the  strong  places  in  and  near  the 
City,  too  powerful  for  them.  His  friends  are  resolved 
not  to  have  the  ballot-boxes  opened  until  September  or 
the  new  President  inaugurated  until  December,  until 
which  time  they  intend  he  shall  have  the  power  in 
his  own  hands.  If  they  fail  in  their  designs,  Santa 
Anna's  fall  will  be  certain  and  perhaps  terminate 
fatally  for  him,  as  he  has  many  very  bitter  enemies. 
A  few  days  may  unravel  these  new  knotty  points. 

Mr.  Trist  called  to  see  Genl.  Scott  yesterday;  his 
case  is  considered  critical,  as  he  has  some  affection  of 
the  lungs,  and  this  climate  is  decidedly  unfavorable  to 
all  persons  with  weak  lungs. 

Derr  has  just  come  in  to  tell  me  that  McDonough 
has  come.  I  am  rejoiced  to  see  him  (he  has  just  left 
me)  as  he  was  left  sick,  and  I  was  afraid  that  he  would 
never  join  us  again.  You  do  not  know  how  attentive 
and  kind  Derr  was  to  me  in  my  little  sickness — had  I 
been  his  own  son  his  manner  could  not  have  been 


In  Mexico  241 

kinder.  He  was  very  highly  flattered  with  the  messages 
in  your  last  letter.  I  cannot  write  any  more  till  I 
receive  your  letters.  God  grant  that  they  bring  me 
good  news  from  you.  Good-night. 

Thursday  morning,  8th.  A  thousand,  thousand 
thanks  to  God,  and  blessings  on  you  for  your  letters  of 
the  7th,  nth,  and  2ist  May.  I  regret  to  hear  of  the 
severe  attack  of  poor  Grandmother.  I  only  took  up 
my  pen  to  make  my  early  acknowledgments  of  your 
letters. 

The  troops  arrived  this  morning,  so  that  now  we 
have  our  new  Commander.  Lt.  Thomas,  who  returned 
sick  from  Tepeyahualco  to  Jalapa,  also  came  up ;  he  is 
looking  pretty  well  but  has  not  recovered  his  strength. 
Maj.  Buchanan  is  with  Genl.  Pillow;  whether  he  will 
remain  with  him  as  A.D.C.  or  rejoin  his  Regt.,  I  do 
not  think  he  has  yet  determined.  Col.  Andrews  of  the 
Voltigeurs  is  here.  Four  Compys.  of  Lt.  Col.  W.  W. 
Graham's  Regt.  also  arrived.  I  had  a  good  opportu 
nity,  two  days  since,  of  speaking  to  my  old  friend, 
and  could  not  avoid  making  a  last  attempt.  I  fear  it 
will  do  no  good. 

I  am  very  anxious  to  hear  from  you  again,  as  I  feel 
very  great  anxiety  about  Father,  who  was,  when  you 
wrote,  I  fear,  far  from  being  well.  Poor  old  grandmother, 
from  so  many  and  such  violent  attacks,  so  rapidly 
succeeding,  will  not,  I  fear,  last  much  longer. 

You  ask  my  opinion  about  your  paying  my  family 
a  visit.  I  wish  exceedingly  that  you  would  do  so. 
But  you  will  hardly  be  able  to  do  it  now,  as,  long  before 
this  letter  reaches  you  (indeed  it  is  perhaps  at  this 
moment  too  late),  Maj.  Sanders  will  have  returned. 
He  was  as  good  a  person  as  you  could  have  seen  to 


242  An  Artillery  Officer 

make  you  understand  all  about  the  positions  of  the 
batteries,  etc.,  at  Vera  Cruz.  I  do  not  doubt  that  if 
he  returned  to  Savannah  in  the  boat  with  you,  that  his 
conversation  interested  Father  very  much.  I  hope  he 
did  so  for  your  sake,  as  your  agitation,  you  state, 
prevented  your  understanding  much  of  his  first  con 
versation.  He  might  have  made  everything  more 
intelligible  by  a  little  sketch. 

From  what  Genl.  Pillow  told  me  to-day,  I  think  it 
is  probable  that  Duncan's  Regt.  may  be  ordered  here. 
I  shall  most  joyfully  welcome  him  though  I  am  still 
sorry  that  he  chose  the  profession  of  arms.  He  might 
have  done  much  better.  But  we  must  now  stimulate 
him  to  render  himself  accomplished  and  distinguished 
as  a  soldier. 

I  heard  to-day,  confidentially,  that  Genl.  Scott  had 
not  received  any  order  from  the  President  compli 
mentary  to  the  troops  and  himself,  but  that  the 
Secretary  had  written  a  very  severe  letter.  How 
dare  he  address  in  terms  other  than  courteous  and 
approbatory  (and  what  is  his  approbation  in  such  a 
case)  a  man  so  far  his  superior  in  every  respect!  I 
hope  that  there  is  some  mistake  in  this  matter;  if  so  I 
will  gladly  make  the  amende  honorable,  for  I  have  always 
had  a  regard  for  the  Secretary.  Enough  for  one  night. 

Friday,  Qth.  Feeling  a  little  chilly  this  evening,  in 
consequence  of  a  change  of  weather,  I  shall  not  write 
much.  In  speaking  of  this  place,  I  have  not  mentioned 
that  these  changes  are  not  uncommon.  The  wind 
shifting  round  to  the  W.  and  SW.  brings  chills  on  its 
wings  from  the  eternal  snows  which  cover  the  tops  of 
Popocatepetl  and  Iztaccihuatl,  which  are  plainly  in 
sight  in  that  direction. 


o 

CC  .EJ 

U.      ft 


81 


In  Mexico  243 

The  snow-capped  mountains  are  visible  from  this 
place — the  two  above  mentioned — and  in  the  distance, 
towards  the  East,  lies  our  old  friend  Orizaba,  whose 
familiar  outline  is  plainly  visible  at  an  early  hour  of  a 
cloudless  morning.  As  we  stand  on  our  drill  ground, 
we  see  at  the  left  of  Popocatepetl,  the  renowned  pyramid 
of  Cholula,  where  a  Catholic  Chapel  now  stands,  on 
the  spot  where,  probably,  the  Indians  had  their  temples 
in  which  thousands  of  human  beings  were  sacrificed. 

Cholula  was,  in  the  days  of  Cortez,  a  magnificent 
city;  not  a  trace  of  the  ancient  city  now  remains. 
You  there  find  ruins  of  a  large  Spanish  City,  built  since 
the  destruction  of  that  of  the  Indians. 

In  the  old  Cholula,  Cortez,  in  consequence  of  dis 
covering  a  plot  to  cut  his  army  to  pieces,  inflicted  most 
exemplary  and  savage  punishment  on  its  poor  inhabi 
tants.  In  their  temples  they  had  large  cages  full  of 
men  and  women  whom  they  were  fattening  to  sacrifice 
or  to  eat.  The  ruins  of  the  renowned  City  of  Tlascala 
lie  to  the  right  of  our  road  to  Mexico.  I  should  like 
very  much  to  visit  both  these  cities,  but  fear  that  I 
shall  not  be  able  to  do  so. 

Rumor  states  that  Genl.  Santa  Anna  has  ordered  all 
the  troops  and  all  the  arms  to  the  City  of  Mexico — 
he  may  fear  a  pronunciamiento  (a  declaration  against 
him,  preceding  a  revolutionary  movement),  and  is  perhaps 
preparing  to  put  it  down  by  the  strong  arm  of  power. 

I  have  been  engaged  all  day  in  preparing  my  quarterly 
papers  for  the  functionaries  at  Washington,  but  when 
or  how  will  they  go?  Had  I  not  been  thus  busily 
engaged,  I  would  have  called  to  see  the  Genl.  'Tis 
too  bad,  he  did  not  receive  a  line  from  his  family.  It 
will  distress  me,  knowing  this,  to  meet  him. 

Rain,   rain,   rain — this  is  indeed  the  rainy  season. 


244          An  Artillery  Officer 

It  is  now  raining  for  the  third  spell  within  the  last 
twenty-four  hours.  I  feel  so  uncomfortable  (you 
know  our  rooms  have  no  glass  windows,  with  their 
conveniences  and  comforts)  that  I  must  retire. 

Sunday,  nth.  As  I  was  a  little  apprehensive,  when 
the  above  was  written,  I  had  last  night  a  regular  chill, 
and  remained  in  bed  all  day  yesterday,  having  taken 
twenty  grains  of  quinine  in  the  morning.  To-day  I 
have  been  up  since  about  eight  o'clock,  taking  two 
grain  pills  every  two  hours,  and  feel  so  well  now  that 
I  hope  I  may  have  no  return  of  the  chill. 

I  heard  to-day  through  Dr.  Cuyler  of  your  having 
passed  through  Savannah.  Mrs.  Locke  was  kind 
enough  to  send  me  word  that  she  had  seen  you  and  that 
you  were  looking  well.  The  Dr.  also  said  that  you  had 
passed  through  Charleston.  I  hope  to  receive  at  least 
one  letter  from  you,  by  the  train  which  accompanies 
Genl.  Pierce. 

For  the  past  two  days  the  City  has  been  filled  with 
rumors  from  Mexico.  I  have  not  been  well  enough 
to  go  to  Genl.  Hd.  Qrs.,  where  I  will  learn  the  truth. 
The  general  impression,  however,  is,  that  we  are  to 
have  a  fight,  and  a  very  severe  one. 

Some  think,  that  on  our  approach,  Santa  Anna's 
enemies  will  compel  him  to  come  to  terms,  or  others 
think  that  they  will  take  advantage  of  our  presence  to 
attempt  to  remove  him  from  his  usurped  office.  So 
strangely  do  these  people  act,  that  I  pretend  to  form 
no  idea  of  what  they  will  do.  Half  of  the  time  they 
leave  undone  things  they  ought  to  have  done.  Certain 
it  is  that  messengers  have  arrived  from  Mexico,  yester 
day  and  the  day  before. 

The  Mexican  Congress  have  not  yet  succeeded  in 


In  Mexico  245 

getting  a  quorum.     I  will  not  commence  another  page 
to-night,  but  close  by  a  good-night — good-night. 

Monday,  I2th.  A  most  unwelcome  visitor  this  morn 
ing,  in  a  threatened  chill.  Dr.  Tripler  happened  to  be 
sitting  by  me,  and  checked  it  by  giving  me  quinine 
and  making  me  take  a  pretty  good  grog  of  "  Catalan," 
being  well  covered  in  bed.  As  it  was  not  succeeded  by 
fever,  I  shall  not  count  it  a  chill. 

Dr.  Cuyler  was  kind  enough  to  send  me  the  latest 
Savannah  Georgian.  In  that  of  the  28th  of  May,  I 
see  the  arrival  on  the  27th  of  Mrs.  Anderson,  and  maid, 
and  the  rest  of  your  family  party.  This  relieves  my 
apprehensions  about  Father's  health,  which  might  not, 
I  feared,  permit  of  his  going  on  in  that  trip  of  the  boat. 
I  put  down  your  arrival  in  Clarkesville  about  the  1st 
of  June,  and  feel  certain  that  Genl.  Pierce  will  bring 
me  a  letter  from  you  dated  at  Clarkesville. 

Capt.  Johnson  Lee  started  with  a  flag  of  truce  for  the 
City  of  Mexico  this  morning;  what  his  mission  is,  I 
know  not ;  some  say  that  he  bears  a  message  relative 
to  the  prisoners  now  in  that  City,  viz.,  Maj.  Gaines 
and  his  party.  No  organization  has  yet  taken  place  of 
their  Congress. 

To-morrow,  our  Brigade  goes  back,  probably  as  far 
as  Nopolucan,  on  a  foraging  expedition,  it  is  said.  This 
attack  of  chills  keeps  me  here,  as  the  Dr.  will  not 
permit  me  to  go.  Were  the  march  towards  Mexico,  I 
would  regret  separation  from  the  Command  very  much, 
but  as  they  go  over  the  beaten  ground,  and  when  they 
will  only  see  a  few  guerrillas,  who  will  avoid  them,  I 
do  not  care  very  much  about  it.  They  will  be  absent 
five  days,  and  will  probably  return  about  the  time 
Genl.  Pierce  comes  up. 


An  Artillery  Officer 

The  impression  gains  ground  daily  that  we  shall 
advance  very  soon  after  we  receive  the  augmentation 
of  our  force.  We  may  find  near  Mexico  about  twenty 
thousand  men — we  shall  have  about  half  that  number. 
Lieut.  Johnston  is  now  busy  hanging  up  his  pictures 
(Catholic)  in  my  room  preparatory  to  his  going  in  the 
morning,  so  I  will  bid  good-night. 

Tuesday,  I3th.  No  chill  to-day,  and  feeling  pretty 
well  to-night;  if  I  escape  to-morrow  night,  I  shall 
again  hope  it  is  broken.  The  Command  left  this  morn 
ing  under  Capt.  Burke,  Col.  Garland  commanding 
the  Brigade.  I  fear  that  they  had  an  unpleasant 
afternoon,  as  we  had  a  very  heavy  rain  about  three 
o'clock.  I  called  this  morning  to  see  Genl.  Scott,  but 
as  he  was  engaged  with  Mr.  Trist,  I  did  not  go  to  his 
room,  but  sat  a  few  moments  with  his  Staff.  Genl. 
Scott  reviews  our  Army  on  the  I5th,  I7th,  and  I9th 
inst.  and  report  says  that  we  are  to  leave  on  the  2ist. 
Hardly  as  soon,  I  think. 

Genl.  Scott  has  so  entirely  won  the  confidence  of 
the  Army  by  the  prudence  and  bravery  which  com 
bine  so  beautifully  in  his  character,  that  they,  like 
myself,  will,  when  he  orders  us  to  advance,  determine 
at  once  that  't  is  the  time  to  do  so.  That  he  is  well 
informed  of  every  measure  of  any  importance  I  am 
confident,  and  he  will  not  order  an  advance  until  he 
is  well  assured  that  it  is  necessary  and  important  for 
us  to  do  so.  Never  were  the  interests  of  a  country 
in  the  keeping  of  a  safer  chief. 

There  are  some  reasons,  and  of  importance  too,  why 
we  should  remain  here  till  the  rainy  season  is  over, 
and  all  these  the  Genl.  well  knows,  and  has  deliberately 
weighed.  We  shall  have  a  very  fatiguing  march,  and 


In  Mexico  247 

one  atttended  with  great  suffering  and  succeeded  by  a 
great  deal  of  sickness. 

We  have  not  heard  what  Division  will  take  the  lead. 
Genl.  Twiggs  pretends  to  be  very  desirous  of  leading — 
saying  that  it  is  his  turn  as  we  were  in  the  advance  from 
Jalapa — but  here  no  one  expected  to  meet  with  resist 
ance.  But  why  speculate  upon  a  question  the  decision 
of  which  will  in  all  probability  be  given  either  in  this 
or  a  letter  you  will  receive  by  the  same  mail?  I  am 
sorry  that  Capt.  Saunders  did  not  go  to  Savannah  on 
the  boat  with  you  as  I  fear  you  did  not  see  him  but 
once.  Good-night,  etc. 

Wednesday,  July  I4th.  I  passed  the  night  and  this 
day  very  comfortably,  no  chill.  This  morning  I  called 
to  see  Genl.  Scott,  and  found  him  so  busily  engaged 
writing  that  I  did  not  sit  down;  he  was  very  affec 
tionate.  Capt.  Lee  did  not  go  with  a  flag  of  truce  to 
Mexico,  " escorted  by  two  Compys.  of  Dragoons." 
Capt.  Kearney,  with  his  Compy.,  went  as  an  escort 
to  a  flag  of  truce  borne  by  Capt.  Symmes,  U.S.  Navy. 
He  returned  this  evening ;  with  what  news  I  will  report 
to-morrow  evening.  Finding  that  I  have  been  so 
grossly  deceived  in  the  report,  so  positively  asserted  by 
many,  of  Capt.  Lee's  mission  to  the  City,  I  will  be  a 
little  more  cautious  in  crediting  camp  stories  than  I 
have  been. 

I  find  that  preparations  are  making  in  the  different 
staff  corps  of  the  Army  for  an  advance,  which  all  seem 
to  think  will  be  made  in  this  month.  I  am  exceedingly 
desirous  of  hearing  what  report  Capt.  Kearney  makes  of 
the  state  of  the  roads.  I  fear  that  we  shall  find  them 
very  heavy,  or  at  all  events  they  will  be  rendered  so 
before  one  half  of  our  long  train  passes  over  them. 


248          An  Artillery  Officer 

I  hear  that  a  private  express  is  about  starting  for 
Vera  Cruz.  I  will  enquire  to-morrow  about  the  pro 
babilities  in  favor  of,  and  against  its  reaching  that 
place,  and  if  the  chances  are  favorable,  I  will  despatch 
one  or  more  of  the  volumes  on  hand.  No  one,  who 
has  not  been  situated  similarly  to  ourselves,  can 
conceive  of  the  blessings  they  enjoy  in  the  luxury  of 
regular  daily,  or  even  weekly  mails.  I  hope  that  I 
may  never  again  be  placed  out  of  hearing  of  the  "Post 
boy's  horn." 

On  meeting  an  officer  of  the  2nd  Arty,  to-day,  I 
learn  that  many  of  their  officers  were  as  unfortunate 
as  myself  in  being  left  by  their  Regt.  in  consequence 
of  indisposition.  Among  the  number  I  regret  naming 
Capt.  De  Hart  and  Cousin  Samuel ;  the  former  has  been 
ill,  the  latter  too  unwell  to  accompany  his  Regt.,  but 
not  confined  seriously.  I  have  not  mentioned  poor 
Saflern  the  drummer  boy's  case  for  several  days;  he  is 
slowly  recovering. 

Lt.  Judd  is  more  of  an  invalid  than  any  of  the  officers 
of  your  acquaintance.  He  has  been  unwell  for  several 
weeks  and  now  looks  very  badly — I  fear  that  he  will  be 
an  invalid  for  several  weeks.  He  appears  to  have  one 
of  those  lingering,  undecided  kinds  of  fever,  a  species 
of  typhoid.  Capt.  Wall  of  the  3rd  is  severely  afflicted 
with  an  ugly  cough,  which  may  lead  to  something 
worse.  When  we  reach  Mexico  we  shall  have  time  to 
recruit — the  climate  will  prove  more  congenial  to  us,  I 
hope,  than  that  of  this  place. 

I  have  not  told  you  that  Derr  is  now  my  cook;  he 
is  highly  delighted  at  every  meal  by  the  praises  I  be 
stow  on  his  skill.  The  fact  is,  he  looks  to  me  for 
instruction,  and  I  am  not  entirely  disinterested  in  the 
bestowal  of  encomiums  on  our  cooking. 


In  Mexico  249 

Thursday,  I5th.  I  saw  the  Genl.  this  morning, 
returning  from  the  review  of  the  2nd  Twiggs  Division. 
He  looked  remarkably  well.  In  consequence  of  the 
absence  of  our  Brigadier,  the  review  of  the  1st  Division 
will  take  place  on  Monday;  the  Division  of  Vols., 
Genl.  Pillow,  will  be  on  the  I7th. 

Capt.  Kearney  went  as  far  as  Rio  Frio,  twelve 
leagues  (say  thirty  miles)  from  Mexico.  He  then 
overtook  (having  dispatched  an  Indian  after  him  to 
check  his  progress)  Genl.  Canalizo,  who  was  hastening, 
with  about  seventy  Dragoons,  towards  Mexico,  to 
announce,  undoubtedly,  the  approach  of  the  whole 
American  Army.  Genl.  Canalizo  received  the  General's 
despatches,  and  would  not  allow  either  of  our  Officers 
to  convey  them  to  the  City.  Capt.  Kearney,  I  learn, 
reports  that  the  road  is  not  in  a  bad  state,  and  that  there 
are  no  obstructions  on  it. 

The  Mexican  Congress  is  reported  to  be  in  session — 
a  quorum  having  been  finally  obtained.  We  may  soon 
learn  their  determination.  God  grant  that  it  may 
be  pacific — though  I  fear  that  it  will  not  be.  If  they 
reject  our  overtures  I  think  that  we  shall  advance  upon, 
and  probably,  after  a  bloody  struggle,  take  the  City, 
there  to  remain  till  fall,  or  for  further  advices  and 
reinforcements  from  the  United  States. 

This  being  the  great  market  day,  I  walked  through 
the  City  this  morning,  and  find  a  few  changes  since  I 
last  mentioned  visiting  it.  The  peaches  and  pears  are 
much  improved,  some  of  them  are  quite  good — there 
is  a  very  large  pear,  very  juicy,  which  I  never  saw  in 
the  United  States  and  which  I  shall  attempt  to  intro 
duce.  The  seed  of  a  large  snowy  white  onion  I  wish 
also  to  procure.  Pineapples  and  oranges  were  more 
abundant  to-day  than  they  have  been  for  some  weeks. 


250          An  Artillery  Officer 

Of  the  infinite  variety  of  beans,  I  have  already  secured 
several. 

I  experimented  to-day  by  putting  some  of  the 
young  leaves  of  one  of  the  varieties  of  the  cactus  in 
my  soup ;  it  is  a  tolerably  good  substitute  for  the  ochre. 
There  were  some  fine  large  citron,  and  a  few  figs  in 
market,  the  first  I  have  seen.  Green  corn  has  occasion 
ally  been  seen  for  the  past  three  weeks,  it  is  small  with 
black  grains.  Snap  beans  and  green  peas  I  must  not 
omit,  nor  squashes,  etc. 

Of  their  curiosities,  I  have  not  mentioned,  I  think, 
one  among  the  horse-trappings;  it  is  a  piece  of  heavy 
leather  running  back  from  the  saddle,  and  fitting  the 
form  of  the  horse  hangs  about  half  way  down  his 
thighs ;  the  lower  part  is  cut  into  seven  strips,  the  ends 
of  which  are  ornamented  with  chains,  or  pieces  of  iron ; 
the  whole  surface  of  the  leather  is  pressed  or  stamped 
and  variously  ornamented. 

The  Spanish  carriage  is  a  very  heavy  thing  hung  by 
strong  leather  straps,  which  pass  over  heavy  wooden 
braces,  about  two  feet  above  the  axletrees;  the  fore 
wheels  about  one  third  as  large  as  the  hind  ones — they 
are  drawn  by  two  mules  in  the  City,  but  when  travel 
ling  you  sometimes  see  three  or  four  hitched  abreast 
before  the  two  "wheel-mules"  and  again  two  more  in 
the  lead.  Each  set  of  mules  has  generally  its  driver; 
the  traces  are  generally  rope  made  of  twisted  raw  hide. 

As  I  am  describing,  I  must  not  forget  an  "Arriero" 
who  serenades  us  twice  a  week  with  his  drove  of  mules, 
each  of  which  has  around  its  neck  one  large  and  two 
smaller-sized  bells,  giving  the  most  discordant  sounds 
bells  ever  gave. 

These  men  are  the  greatest  packers  in  the  world — 
these  poor  animals  look  like  pigmies  under  the  immense 


In  Mexico 


loads  they  bear.  The  common  Mexican  is  nearly  the 
equal,  however,  of  his  patient  ass,  as  he  carries  weights 
we  would  never  dream  of  placing  on  the  backs  of  our 
slaves.  Their  mode  of  carrying  burthens  I  described 
in  a  letter  from  Tampico,  —  a  strap  over  the  forehead  ; 
the  women  place  the  strap  over  the  upper  part  of  the 
chest. 

Saturday,  i/th.  Last  night  If  dined  with  Gol.  Butler, 
S.C.,  and  returned  at  so  late  an  hour  that  I  did  not 
think  it  prudent  to  sit  up  later.  When  I  received  an 
invitation  in  the  morning,  I  thought  it  was  to  make 
one  of  a  little  party,  which  would  separate  at  an  early 
hour,  or  I  would  have  taken  my  evening's  chat  with  you 
before  going,  and  was  very  much  surprised  to  find  a 
long  table  arranged  for  a  regular  dinner  party.  Genl. 
Scott  was  invited,  but  did  not  attend. 

Among  my  friends  at  the  table  I  mention  Maj. 
Smith,  Engineers,  Dr.  Lawson,  Capts.  Irwin  and  Huger, 
Capts.  Screven  and  Myers.  We  had  a  very  pleasant 
party,  having  a  respectable  sitting  of  five  hours  —  eating 
and  drinking  was  interspersed  with  songs  and  toasts. 
Genl.  Clinch  was  enthusiastically  toasted,  also  Genl. 
Scott.  The  evening  passed  as  pleasantly  as  it  could 
with  those  who  were  far  from  wife,  children,  and  home. 
The  supper  or  dinner  was  a  plain  one  —  turkeys,  chickens, 
ham,  rice,  corn  bread,  chicken  salad,  sardines,  fruit, 
pie,  oranges,  peanuts,  cacahuate,  sherry  and  claret 
wines,  with  a  bottle  of  brandy,  and  I  believe  I  have 
named  the  articles  on  the  table.  But  as  we  have  been 
sufficiently  long  at  the  table,  let  us  leave  it,  and  come 
to  the  details  of  to-day. 

By  appointment  of  last  night,  I  breakfasted  with  Lt. 
Col.  Dickerson,  S.  C.,  and  about  eight  o'clock  started 


252  An  Artillery  Officer 

with  a  party  of  S.  C.  Officers  for  Cholula.  After  a  ride 
of  about  one  hour  and  a  half,  as  pleasant  as  a  ride  on  a 
sorry  scrub  of  a  horse  permitted,  we  rode  to  the  top  of 
the  celebrated  pyramid  of  Cholula. 

Humboldt  (according  to  Thompson)  states  the  base 
of  this  pyramid  to  be  1440  feet  (square),  its  height  177 
feet,  and  the  area  of  the  top  to  be  45,210  square  feet. 
You  see  distinctly  the  separations  of  the  strata  of  the 
large  earthen  cakes  (sunburnt  bricks,  Thompson  calls 
them)  of  which  it  was  built,  and  find  in  them  an  infinite 
number  of  pieces  of  broken  earthen  ware. 

Grotesque,  rudely  formed  stone  images  are  found  in 
the  plain;  some  of  them  I  will  try  to  procure  to  take 
home.  The  view  of  the  church,  which  crowns  the 
pyramid,  as  you  approach  it,  at  about  the  distance  of  a 
mile  from  it,  is  very  fine ;  on  the  left  you  see  the  snow- 
covered  peak  of  the  highest  mountain  in  Mexico, 
Popocatepetl,  and  the  background  to  the  church  and 
pyramid  is  the  mountain  of  Iztaccihuatl. 

The  view  from  the  top  of  this  church  is  exceedingly 
beautiful — on  every  side  extends  a  very  rich  plain, 
regularly  laid  out  in  fields  now  under  cultivation  in 
corn,  which  is  in  various  stages,  from  the  tender  stock 
to  that  now  in  roasting  ears ;  the  eye  tracing  through  the 
plain  the  meandering  course  of  a  small  river  running 
between  us  and  Puebla;  whilst  in  the  distance,  on  one 
side  you  see  the  lofty  steeples  of  the  Cathedral  of 
Puebla,  the  Church  of  Guadalupe,  the  hill  beyond  it 
like  a  watch  tower,  and  a  little  to  the  right  rises 
Malinche,  where  stood  the  Capital  of  the  Republic  of 
Tlascala,  which,  Cortes  says,  contained  five  hundred 
thousand  freeholders. 

Smaller  and  nameless  (as  far  as  I  know)  mountains 
form  the  limits  to  your  view  in  other  directions,  till 


< 

31 

O  a 

o? 
u.  c 
O  tf 


IE 


In  Mexico  253 

you  cast  your  eyes  towards  the  snowy  mountains 
above  mentioned,  where  around  the  base  of  the  pyramid 
on  that  side  stand  the  immense  ruins  of  the  large 
City  of  Cholula  built  by  the  Spaniards.  Among  the 
huge  walls  still  standing,  you  see  several  churches,  some 
now  open  for  worship,  others  closed.  The  City  covered 
more  ground  than  Puebla  now  does. 

The  present  City  of  Cholula  is  close  to  the  base  of 
the  pyramid,  and  is  not  seen  till  you  rise  the  hill  formed 
by  the  cutting  of  the  road  through  the  base  of  the 
pyramid.  Beyond  the  ruins,  and  much  nearer  than  the 
mountains,  projects  a  volcanic  mountain,  the  crater 
of  which  is  distinctly  marked. 

Would  that  I  could  give  you  such  a  description  as 
would  present  these  views  plainly  to  your  mind's  eye — 
you  would  be  delighted — but  I  cannot.  The  pyramid 
is  ascended  by  a  good  road  which  winds  along  two  sides 
of  its  faces,  to  the  top ;  the  sides  are  now  closely  covered 
with  bushes  and  small  shrubs. 

I  brought  two  specimens  of  Indian  embroidery 
from  the  Church  of  the  Pyramid — rude  enough,  but 
they  will  be  interesting  as  being  made  there  by  an 
Indian  woman. 

On  my  return  I  found  Capt.  Burke  in  Barracks  with 
his  Command.  By  the  bye,  Maj.  Harvey  Brown,  who 
commanded  the  Escort  (4th  Arty.),  to-day  requested 
to  be  particularly  remembered  to  Mrs.  Clinch,  your 
father,  and  yourself. 

News  to-day  from  Mexico  is  of  great  importance. 
Genl.  Santa  Anna's  Govt.  is  pursuing  vigorous  measures 
towards  some  of  his  Generals.  Genl.  Ampudia  has 
been  sent  under  an  escort  to  Cuernavaca;  Genl.  Al 
monte  has  been  ordered  to  march  to.  Tulancingo  in 
twenty-four  hours,  and  has  been  refused  the  assistance 


254          An  Artillery  Officer 

necessary  for  the  journey,  and  Genl.  Avista  has  been 
violently  carried  to  the  fortress  of  Acapulco.  Enough 
for  to-night.  Good-night. 

Sunday,  i8th.  No  news  to-day — but  a  rumor  that 
Genl.  Pierce  left,  or  was  to  have  left  Vera  Cruz  on 
last  Wednesday.  Mr.  Hargous,  an  American  merchant, 
who  has  been  residing  several  years  in  this  country, 
offers  to  bet  any  amount  of  money  that  peace  will  be 
proclaimed  in  two  months.  I  wish,  in  this  case,  that 
my  losing  a  few  hundred  dollars  would  secure  that 
result,  and  I  would  most  willingly  lose  a  year's  pay  to 
secure  so  great  a  gain.  What  Mr.  Hargous  founds 
his  hopes  upon,  I  know  not,  but  I  fear  that  he  is  too 
sanguine. 

Among  the  sights  of  yesterday,  I  did  not  include  the 
Mexican  ploughman.  The  plough  is  a  simple  block, 
shod  with  iron,  terminating  in  a  point,  having  a  single 
handle  which  the  man  holds  with  his  right  hand,  his 
left  hand  guiding  and  urging  his  two  oxen  by  means  of 
a  goad,  a  long  reed,  having  an  iron  spike  four  or  five 
inches  long  on  its  small  end.  I  also  saw  a  party  of 
Mexicans  spading  up  some  ground;  the  spade  is  made 
of  wood,  the  blade  having  merely  a  border  of  iron. 
Everything  here  is  of  fashions  centuries  old.  The  mules 
are  generally  hitched,  or  rather  harnessed  to  the  carts 
as  our  oxen  are,  supporting  the  weight  of  the  tongue  by 
means  of  a  bar  and  collars  or  bows. 

I  went  this  morning  to  see  some  of  my  sick  friends. 
I  found  Lit.  Anderson  quite  indisposed,  several  others 
of  the  2nd  Arty,  are  more  or  less  unwell.  Capt.  De  Hart 
has  been  taken  to  the  house  occupied  by  Genl.  Worth — 
he  will  there  be  closely  and  well  attended  by  Dr.  Satter- 
lee. 


In  Mexico  255 

I  have  not  mentioned  my  own  health,  it  is  because  I 
have  had  no  more  chills  to  report ;  to-morrow  morning, 
will  be  seven  days  since  my  last  attempt  to  have  one; 
if  I  escape  it  then,  I  shall  feel  pretty  safe.  I  have  a 
grand  appetite,  and  am  ready  to  eat  my  allowance  at 
every  meal,  but  I  must  restrain,  as  I  am  convinced  that 
we  do  not  require  here  as  much  food  as  is  necessary  in 
colder  climates.  I  met  the  two  Doctors  Steiner  day 
before  yesterday — the  older  has  been  very  ill,  but 
is  now  convalescing;  they  came  up  with  Genl.  Pillow's 
Command. 

Yesterday,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  Dr.  Suter's  company 
on  my  return  from  Cholula.  He  is  very  well;  his 
last  letters  from  Mrs.  Suter  were  from  Washington, 
where  she  was  with  his  father's  family — the  Doctor's 
son,  Charley,  had  consented  to  go  with  her.  I  did  not 
ask  the  Dr.  but  presume  that  she  is  on  her  way  to  her 
mother's. 

Howard  has  just  told  me  that  an  express  expected  to 
start  in  a  short  time  for  Vera  Cruz,  so  that  I  will  write 
a  short  note — they  take  none  others — to-morrow,  merely 
to  tell  you  that  I  am  well.  My  regular  series  I  will 
retain  till  I  find  a  sure  and  safe  conveyance.  You 
would  have  (could  I  now  send  what  I  have  written) 
enough  reading  for  a  month,  as  I  find  I  cannot  follow 
the  rule  I  prescribed  for  myself,  of  writing  a  few  lines 
every  night.  I  will,  at  all  events,  close  for  this  night, 
praying  that  God  may  continue  the  guard  and  guide 
of  my  wife.  Good-night. 

Monday,  iQth.  I  wrote  a  note  to  you  very  hastily 
this  morning,  to  take  its  chance  by  an  express,  when 
one  goes.  Under  the  fear,  I  may  say  expectation,  of 
its  being  intercepted  by  the  Mexicans,  it  was  filled  with 


256  An  Artillery  Officer 

commonplace  expressions.  I  am  unwilling  that  they 
should  read  in  it  anything  they  could  laugh  and  jeer 
over.  This  writing  to  you,  every  night,  ruins  my  style 
as  an  ordinary  letter  writer,  for  now  I  make  no  attempt 
at  condensation,  writing  whatever  occurs  to  me,  and 
not  digesting  the  sentences.  To  a  wife,  this  is  perhaps 
excusable,  but  not  so  with  any  one  else. 

Genl.  Scott  reviewed  our  Division  to-day — I  did  not 
attend,  because  this  being  the  seventh  day  since  my 
chill,  I  was  advised  by  the  Dr.  not  to  go  out.  As  I 
anticipated,  the  Division  did  not  make  as  fine  a  dis 
play  as  Genl.  Twiggs's  did.  Our  Genl.  has  not  had 
us  in  the  field  as  frequently  as  he  ought. 

Two  rumors  from  Mexico  to-day — one  that  they  are 
fighting  in  the  City,  where  a  pronunciamiento  has  been 
made  against  Santa  Anna,  and  the  other  that  the 
Congress  has  adjourned,  having  given  Santa  Anna 
power  to  make  a  treaty.  A  day  or  two  will  enlighten 
us  as  to  the  credibility  either  report  is  entitled  to. 

I  may  mention,  though,  that  we  are  endeavoring  to 
organize  a  monthly  express  to  Vera  Cruz,  the  men  to 
take  a  certain  number  of  letters,  each  written  on  half 
a  sheet  of  fine  paper.  As  soon  as  the  arrangement  is 
made,  I  shall,  without  discontinuing  this  series,  com 
mence  a  new  one.  I  fear  that  in  my  attempt  to  get  a 
great  deal  on  my  half  sheet,  I  may  compel  you  to  put 
spectacles  on,  to  decipher  my  writing. 

I  called  to  see  Dr.  Harney  this  morning,  and  was 
pleased  to  see  him  looking  well.  His  slight  wound 
gives  him  some  trouble,  and  will  do  so  for  a  long  time; 
the  ball  struck  one  of  the  bones  just  above  the  ankle 
joint.  His  general  health  appears  to  be  perfectly 
restored.  He  advises  me  to  take  a  pill  of  quinine  daily ; 
I  followed  his  advice  to-day,  and  it  has  passed  without 


In  Mexico  257 

a  chill.  Mr.  Judd  still  looks  badly,  but  slowly  improves, 
I  think.  The  drummer  boy  is  nearly  well. 

Tuesday,  2Oth,  after  tattoo.  I  have  just  sent  to  Genl. 
Worth's  Hd.  Qrs.  another  letter  to  take  its  chance  by 
an  express,  which  starts  to-night.  Good  luck  attend 
our  messenger;  we  know  that  the  chances  are  against 
us,  but  still,  should  only  one  in  twenty  reach  you,  I 
shall  be  richly  repaid  by  learning  that  you  have  again 
heard  from  me.  Regarding  that  letter  as  part  of  my 
evening's  talk  with  you,  I  shall  say  but  a  few  words  more. 

Report  tells  to-day,  that  Santa  Anna  has  appointed 
Commissioners — Nous  verrons.  The  Q.  M.  has  at  last 
furnished  me  with  a  horse;  he  is  very  showy,  but  too 
high-spirited  for  an  Officer  whose  duties  at  drill  take 
him  among  the  soldiers.  I  shall  have  to  exchange  him 
for  another.  I  called  at  Genl.  Scott's  Quarters  to  see 
Capt.  De  Hart;  he  is  there,  instead  of  being  at  Genl. 
Worth's;  he  looks  very  badly,  but  is  convalescent. 
Good-night,  and  happy  dreams  to  you. 

Wednesday,  2ist.  Thus  far,  no  chill.  To-day  I 
have  accomplished  a  duty  to  which  I  should  have 
attended  some  days  ago,  that  of  making  some  calls  on 
my  brother  Kentuckians — Capt.  Pope,  Rifles,  was  the 
only  one  at  home.  He  was  formerly  a  lawyer  of 
Louisville,  who  found  it  more  agreeable  to  spend  his 
time  pleasantly  with  his  friends  than  to  attend  to  the 
dry  business  of  the  Court  rooms,  and  consequently  his 
clients  looked  elsewhere  for  a  business  man. 

Captain is,  I  am  sorry  to  say  it,  under  arrest, 

and  will  be  arraigned  for  trial  to-morrow  morning, 
charged  with  indulging  too  freely  and  frequently  in 
the  social  glass,  and  in  some  instances  when  on  duty. 

17 


An  Artillery  Officer 

I  fear  that  his  case  is  a  very  bad  one.  I  will  attend  his 
trial  for  the  sake  of  his  father,  whom  I  esteem  most 
dearly.  His  counsel  is  Lt.  Col.  Tom  Moore,  2nd 
Dragoons. 

I  called  on  Col.  Andrews  of  the  Voltigeurs ;  he  is,  I 
fancy,  sorry  that  he  left  his  comfortable  berth  in  Wash 
ington  for  this  service.  In  his  Regt.  there  is  one 
Kentucky  Capt.  whose  family  I  know,  and  I  think 
that  I  know  him,  Capt.  Churchill;  he  was  on  drill. 
I  then  called  on  Col.  Butler,  and  some  other  South 
Carolina  Vols.  Thus,  you  see  that  I  have  accomplished 
a  good  deal. 

Every  person  is  on  the  qui  vive  this  afternoon,  as 
it  is  expected,  with  what  reason  I  do  not  hear,  that  we 
either  move  in  two  days,  or  not  until  the  fall.  Capt. 
R.  Lee,  Engineers,  expressed  his  fears  last  evening  that 
he  would  not  have  an  opportunity  of  visiting  the  City 
of  Mexico.  He  is  no  idle  prattler,  and  speaks  not 
without  reflection. 

No.  17.    PUEBLA,  MEXICO. 

Thursday,  July  22,  '47. 

I  went  to  the  Court  room  this  morning,  and  was 
very  much  pleased  to  learn  that  Genl.  Scott  had  per 
mitted  the  charges  against  Capt. to  be  with 
drawn.  I  hope  the  clemency  now  shewn  him  may 
not  be  without  good  results. 

A  flag  came  to  Genl.  Scott  this  morning,  from  Mexico, 
in  answer  to  his  application,  or  demand,  for  the  return 
of  certain  prisoners.  The  Genl.  told  me  that  the  an 
swer  was  favorable,  that  it  is  written  in  good  temper. 

I  had  a  long  talk  with  friend  Kirby  this  morning — 
he  thinks  that  chances  are  decidedly  in  favor  of  peace, 
that  they  are  nearly  equal  to  nine  out  of  ten  against 


In  Mexico  259 

it.  He  is  not  apt  to  jump  to  strange  or  wrong  conclu 
sions  ;  he  is  indeed  very  cautious,  usually,  in  the  expres 
sion  of  his  opinion,  and,  knowing  from  the  Genl. 
himself  that  the  data  on  which  the  Major  formed  his 
opinion  were  obtained  from  the  Genl.,  this  opinion  has 
great  weight  with  me.  But  still  I  cannot  indulge  the 
delightful  hope  of  peace,  even  when  presented  from  such 
a  source.  I  can  place  no  confidence  in  the  doings  of 
this  Govt.  or  of  their  constituted  authorities. 

To  one  opinion  of  the  Major's  I  do  fully  consent, 
which  is  that  if  the  Mexicans  do  not  now  consent  to, 
and  conclude,  a  treaty  of  peace,  that  the  war  must 
continue  for  a  long  and  indefinite  period.  We  cannot 
again  offer  the  olive  branch.  Two  rude  rejections 
will  bar  us  from  making  another. 

Certain  it  is,  that,  as  yet,  neither  Congress  nor  Santa 
Anna  have  answered  Mr.  Trist's  letter.  The  officer 
who  bore  the  flag  embraced  one  of  the  General's  aids, 
drank  to  peace,  and  called  him  his  "friend."  All 
this  may  well  be  diplomatique. 

We  must  soon  advance,  if  the  Govt.  comes  to  no 
decision  or  to  an  unfavorable  one  on  Secy.  Buchanan's 
proposal,  submitted  through  Mr.  Trist,  proposing  that 
Commissioners  be  appointed  to  confer  with  Mr.  T. 
on  the  terms  of  a  treaty.  To-morrow,  or  the  next 
day,  we  may  hear  something  interesting  from  the 
City.  No  news  of  Genl.  Pierce's  march.  Good-night. 

Friday,  23rd.  Genl.  S.  told  me  confidentially,  to 
day,  that  there  was  a  slight  prospect  of  the  opening  of 
negotiations  with  the  Mexican  Govt.  The  facts  are 
these.  Genl.  S.  A.,  as  you  know,  sent  Mr.  Buchanan's 
letter  to  Congress;  this  body  resolved  to  play  a  game 
of  shuttlecock  with  the  President:  returned  it  to  him 


260  An  Artillery  Officer 

stating  that,  by  the  Constitution,  the  initiatory  steps 
in  the  consideration  of  treaties  were  assigned  to  the 
Executive. 

Genl.  Santa  Anna's  rejoinder  has  been  received,  in 
which  he  informs  the  Congress  that  he  does  not  require 
any  instructions  from  them  in  relation  to  his  duties, 
that  he  did  not  send  the  letter  to  them  for  any  further 
action  on  their  part  than  for  them  to  rescind  the  re 
solution  passed  at  the  close  of  their  last  Session,  declar 
ing  any  Mexican  a  traitor  to  his  country  who  would 
listen  to,  or  receive  any  proposals  of  peace;  that  he 
knows  by  the  Constitution  of  1824  tins  duty  was  im 
posed  on  the  Executive.  He  tells  them  that  the  ques 
tion  now  presented  for  the  consideration  of  the  Mexicans 
should  be  solemnly  and  wisely  deliberated  upon,  and 
that  it  should  be  answered  either  affirmatively  or 
negatively.  It  is  said  to  be  the  best  paper  he  has 
issued. 

Some  of  the  Members  of  Congress,  alarmed  probably 
at  the  dilemma  in  which  they  have  placed  themselves, 
have  left  the  City.  Santa  Anna  is  preparing,  in  the 
event  of  Congress*  adjourning  without  rescinding 
their  unconstitutional  resolution,  to  have  a  pronun- 
ciamiento  declaring  himself  Dictator.  The  Army  is 
not  yet  ready  for  this;  but  it  is  thought  that  he  will, 
soon,  as  he  has  placed  Congress  so  decidedly  in  the 
wrong,  seize  the  supreme  power.  A  few  days  more 
and  all  these  schemes  must  work  out  results  either 
favorable  to,  or  destructive  of  Santa  Anna.  Genl. 
Santa  Anna's  order  of  the  iQth  inst.  was  received  here 
to-day.  He  orders  that  the  firing  of  a  cannon  in  the 
place  d'armes  will  be  the  signal  of  the  approach  of  the 
troops,  that  at  this  all  the  bands  shall  play,  and  that 
all  the  military  shall  retire  to  their  Quarters,  and  there 


In  Mexico 


await  instructions;  no  one  to  leave  except  on  service, 
no  carriages  to  pass  through  the  streets,  no  horseman 
to  be  in  the  streets  unless  the  military  on  duty,  no 
one  to  leave  the  gates  of  the  City,  but  women  who  may 
have  brought  in  coal  or  provisions,  all  the  shops  to 
be  closed,  but  those  of  the  provision  markets  and  where 
bread  is  sold.  He  prefaces  this  decree  by  a  strong 
abuse  of  us,  and  an  exhortation  to  the  Mexican  Army 
to  restore  the  lost  lustre  of  their  Military  fame,  etc. 
To-morrow  I  dine  with  the  General. 

Saturday,  24th.  We  had  to-day  a  true  Yankee  dish, 
one  I  did  not  expect  to  see  so  far  in  the  interior  of  Mex 
ico  —  codfish  and  the  usual  accompaniments.  Though 
there  were  meats  and  fowl  on  the  table,  all  were  good 
Yankees  enough  to  take  no  meat  after  the  soup  —  mak 
ing  a  simple  but  good  dinner. 

Capt.  N  -  of  Phila.,  ex-member  of  Congress, 
was  present.  He  is  just  recovering  from  a  severe  fit 
of  illness.  His  mind  is  as  weak  as  his  body.  He  was 
strongly  disposed  to  deliver  us  a  Congressional  discourse 
upon  every  subject  introduced  —  one  of  those  men, 
who,  when  they  begin  to  talk,  cast  their  eyes  around 
to  catch  the  eyes  of  others,  and  to  force  attention  from 
as  many  as  possible  to  their  remarks.  I  am  very  fond 
of  modesty,  and  never  allow  such  orators  of  the  table 
or  room  to  entrap  me,  if  I  can  decently  avoid  it. 

Genl.  Scott  confidently  expects  news  of  great  interest 
from  Mexico  in  two  or  three  days.  Mr.  Trist  has 
requested  the  Genl.  to  delay  our  advance,  at  least  until 
Genl.  Pierce  arrives,  as  he  thinks  something  favorable 
to  peace  may  occur  in  that  time. 

As  I  occasionally  mention  incidents  which  are  strange 
and  new,  I  will  here  allude  to  one  which  attracted  my 


262  An  Artillery  Officer 

attention  this  morning.  I  was  lying  down,  and  hearing 
the  occasional  tinkle  of  a  little  bell,  I  went  to  the  win 
dow  to  see  what  it  was.  I  there  saw  two  common 
Mexicans  at  their  little  market,  in  front  of  my  window, 
one  having  on  his  back  a  box  three  by  two  feet,  the 
double  door  of  which  was  opened  and  presented,  turned 
as  he  rang  his  bell,  towards  the  market  women;  as  it 
was  thus  presented  to  each  group,  they  advanced 
towards  it,  and,  bending  forward,  kissed  an  artificial 
flower  in  front  of  the  glass,  or  the  glass  itself.  The  duty 
of  the  second  Mexican  was  to  open  and  close  the  door, 
and  to  receive  the  contributions  given  by  nearly  every 
one,  the  fruit  and  vegetables,  tortillas  (cakes  made  of 
Indian  corn)  in  his  basket,  and  the  money  in  a  small 
tin  box  having  a  slit  in  the  top. 

The  large  box  had  an  image  of  an  angel  with  an 
infant  by  his  side — the  sides  of  the  interior  of  the  box 
ornamented  with  flowers.  Every  one  gives  something; 
one  three  onions,  another  a  pear,  another  a  banana, 
etc.,  and  the  tortilla  sellers  gave  each  one  of  their 
small  flat  cakes. 

I  have  frequently  heard  this  bell  about  eight  at  night, 
but  did  not  know  what  it  was  rung  for.  The  little 
tin  money  box  I  have  frequently  seen  offered  to  the 
market  people  to  kiss — mothers  invariably  raising 
their  children  up  to  kiss  it  also.  It  has  a  painting  of 
the  Virgin  or  some  favorite  saint  of  the  church  to  which 
it  belongs,  and  always  gathers  a  few  clakos  (one  and 
a  half  cents)  from  these  poor  Indians. 

I  think  I  have  told  you  that  the  tortillas  were  made 
of  Indian  corn,  soaked  in  lime  water  to  remove  the  skin, 
and  then  ground  by  rubbing  it  by  a  long  stone  roller, 
or  pin,  on  a  small  flat  iron  stone  resembling  a  table. 
This  appears  to  be  the  Mexican  mill;  the  woman 


In  Mexico  263 

sits,  having  the  slope  towards  her,  and  with  the  pin 
in  her  hands,  she  mashes  the  grain,  keeping  it 
moist  till  she  forms  a  fine  paste,  which  is  baked  in 
an  earthen  dish,  placed  on  charcoal  burning  in  an 
earthen  furnace — all  Mexican  utensils  for  cooking, 
carrying,  or  holding  water,  etc.,  are  made  of  an  excel 
lent  earthen  ware. 

Their  spoons  are  either  rudely  made  of  wood,  or 
part  of  a  calabash,  and  frequently  I  see  them  using 
the  tortilla  as  a  spoon,  bending  it  so  as  to  hold  a  small 
quantity  of  their  broths  or  stews,  which  are  the  ways 
they  generally  cook  their  food,  in  which  they  use  red 
pepper  very  freely.  I  must  confess  that  I  have  had 
no  desire  to  eat  what  they  prepare.  I  see  daily  exhibited 
by  the  market  women  scenes  disgustingly  filthy. 

Sunday,  25th. 

Another  Sabbath,  and  all  uncertainty  about  our 
movements.  As  late  as  four  P.M.  yesterday,  Genl.  S. 
was  doubtful  whether  we  would  advance.  I  called  at 
his  Quarters  this  afternoon,  but  he  was  at  church,  and 
I  did  not  see  him.  Capt.  Myers'  clerk  told  me  that  the 
Quartermasters  had  received  orders  to  have  every 
thing  ready  for  the  advance  of  the  Army  in  four 
days. 

We  will  not,  I  am  confident,  leave  this  City  until 
the  arrival,  or  near  approach  of  Genl.  Pierce,  and  he 
will  not  arrive,  supposing  him  to  have  left  on  the  i6th 
as  reported,  before  the  ist  or  5th  of  August.  It  may 
well  be,  that  Genl.  Scott  and  Mr.  Trist  have  received 
intelligence  of  the  state  of  parties  in  the  Capital,  [such] 
as  to  make  it  expedient,  or  necessary,  for  us  to  approach 
it.  A  few  more  days  of  doubt,  and  all  will  probably  be 
certainty — no  half-way  measures,  either  peace  or  a  war 


264  An  Artillery  Officer 

changed,  in  its  character,  from  that  which  we  have  been 
conducting  upon  the  most  civilized  principles. 

Genl.  Pierce  may,  however,  bring  instructions  from 
the  Home  Govt.  altering  all  the  schemes  and  plans  we 
have  been  dreaming  over  in  our  quiescent  state. 

Capt.  De  Hart  spent  the  day  with  us ;  he  is  improving, 
but  as  has  been  the  case  with  all  who  have  been  pro 
strated  by  disease  in  this  Country,  it  will  be  some  weeks 
before  he  will  be  sufficiently  well  to  attend  to  duty. 
I  saw  Lt.  Anderson  out  yesterday.  Genl.  Worth  looks 
badly  again.  The  sick  list  of  our  Army  is  now  slightly 
above  2000 — a  very  considerable  and  important  change 
in  the  strength  of  our  force,  where  we  are,  at  least,  in 
need  of  all  our  bayonets.  The  spirit  of  our  troops  is, 
however,  most  excellent,  and  they  will  deserve  success. 

Lt.  Judd  has  just  left  our  Quarters,  and  has,  I  am 
pleased  to  hear,  improved  sufficiently  to  enable  him 
to  take  his  seat  at  table. 

Howard  tells  me  that  my  letter  of  the  i8th  was 
dispatched  last  night ;  success  attend  it.  I  will  not  com 
mence  another  sheet  this  evening.  Good-night. 

Monday,  26th. 

Most  unreasonable  and  ill-timed  kindness  in  two 
sets  of  visitors  has  made  it  so  late  before  I  could  take 
my  seat  to  converse  with  you,  that  I  shall  soon  be  com 
pelled  to  make  my  bow,  very  soon.  From  orders 
issued  to  the  different  departments  of  the  Staff,  it  is 
certainly  intended  that  we  shall  leave  this  City  as  soon 
as  Genl.  Pierce  gets  within  a  few  days'  march  of  it — 
that  is,  the  leading  Division  will  start,  to  be  followed 
by  the  others  in  successive  days,  so  timed  that  Genl. 
Pierce  will  reach  here  the  day  before  the  last  Division 
will  start. 


In  Mexico  265 

If  we  have  a  fight  near  the  City,  it  will  probably  be 
the  great  battle  of  the  Mexican  War.  Pride  to  save 
their  Capital  from  our  grasp,  a  desire  to  revenge 
their  repeated  disastrous  defeats,  will  urge  them  to 
exert  their  powers  to  the  utmost. 

Our  soldiery,  flushed  with  victory,  will,  I  am  con 
vinced,  do  more  than  mere  duty  calls,  for.  Could  they 
for  one  moment  doubt  of  success,  they  must  see  that  as 
we  are  situated,  victory  must  be  ours — a  drawn  battle 
even  will  not  suffice.  We  must,  we,  with  the  blessing 
of  God,  will  conquer. 

Genl.  Scott  heard  yesterday  that  the  Mexican  Con 
gress  would  do  nothing — it  is  not  expected  that  they 
will  answer  Santa  Anna's  last  message  to  them,  in  which 
he  gives  them  a  lecture  in  relation  to  their  course  in 
instructing  him  in  his  duties. 

The  news  from  Hd.  Qrs.  is  still  favorable — every 
thing  promises  fair.  If  the  Mexican  Congress  does 
not  ruin  our  prospects,  we  may  yet  be  home  before 
winter. 

Tuesday,  27th. 

So  great  is  the  uncertainty  as  to  Genl.  Pierce's 
whereabouts,  etc.,  so  numerous  the  reports  about  his 
being  harassed  in  his  advance,  that  Genl.  S.  sent  a 
Brigade,  Genl.  Persifer  Smith's,  with  Duncan's  Battery, 
and  a  squadron  of  Cavalry  to  communicate  with  him. 

Genl.  S.  is  one  of  the  most  prudent  commanders  I 
ever  served  under.  Instead  of  wearing  his  troops  out 
by  issuing  orders  for  them  to  hold  themselves  in  readi 
ness,  on  the  circulation  of  every  report  about  the 
enemy's  approach,  he  has  each  case  examined  by  some 
persons  whom  he  can  trust,  and  thus  quietly  exposes 
the  falsity,  or  verifies  the  truth,  of  the  rumor. 


266  An  Artillery  Officer 

I  heard  him,  a  few  days  since,  on  Col.  Hitchcock's 
mentioning  a  report  that  has  been  made  of  the  arrival 
of  some  troops  at  Atlixco,  say  that  he  must  get  the 
Capt.  of  his  Bandits  to  enquire  into  it — that  twenty 
false  reports  might  be  made  about  the  enemy,  and  that 
if  we  failed  to  enquire  into  the  twenty-first,  which 
afterwards  proved  true,  as  military  men  we  would 
richly  deserve  censure. 

We  have  in  our  pay  a  Compy.  of  Mexicans  who  are 
called  the  Forty  Thieves;  they  are,  I  expect  some  of  the 
gentlemen  robbers  Thompson  mentions.  They  were 
asked,  the  other  day,  if  they  would  not  be  afraid  of 
being  murdered  by  their  countrymen  for  acting  with 
us,  after  we  left  the  Country,  and  their  Captain's 
answer  was:  "That  is  our  business,  we  will  take  care 
of  ourselves."  They  are  very  useful  in  getting  in 
formation,  etc.,  and  are  used  individually  or  collect 
ively,  as  their  services  are  required.  The  Capt.  says 
he  can  increase  his  band  to  1500  or  2000,  if  a  greater 
number  be  wanted  than  he  now  has. 

This  afternoon,  I  went  with  Lt.  Johnson  to  an  "Old 
Curiosity  Shop,"  where  I  purchased  a  Catholic  Bible, 
1742  A.D.,  for  Brother  William.  Mr.  J.  purchased  a 
similar  one  for  himself;  he  says  that  it  is  a  present 
which  William  will  prize  very  highly.  Do  not  think 
that  my  old  mania  of  purchasing  books  and  pictures 
has  again  beset  me — you  would  admire  the  cool  non 
chalance  with  which  I  examine  choice  old  books,  etc., 
which  can  be  purchased  very  cheap  here,  and  cannot 
be  procured  in  the  United  States.  I  must,  on  leaving 
this  Country,  purchase  some  curiosities  for  you. 

A  party  leaves  the  City  at  seven  in  the  morning, 
to  visit  Cholula,  but,  as  I  have  been  there,  I  will 
remain,  so  that  Capt.  Burke  may  go.  Since  the  pay- 


In  Mexico  267 

ments  were  made,  our  sick  list  has  increased;  we  have 
now  2200  on  the  sick  report. 

One  word  about  the  customs  of  the  Country,  before 
stopping.  The  market  and  common  women  address 
us  as  nino  (child) ;  whether  this  is  a  term  of  endearment 
or  not,  I  cannot  say.  I  did  not  understand  them  as 
calling  me  so,  until  I  found  it  was  usually  done.  You 
refuse  to  give  the  price  asked,  and  walk  off,  when  you 
are  frequently  called  back  by  that  word,  to  take  the 
article  at  your  own  price.  Good-night. 

Wednesday,  28th. 

Unfortunately,  I  have  been  placed  on  a  Court  of 
Enquiry,  demanded  by  Col.  Riley,  who  avers  that 
injustice  has  been  done  his  Brigade  in  Genl.  Twiggs's 
report,  and  in  those  of  some  of  the  sub-commanders 
in  Genl.  Twiggs's  Division. 

I  fear  that  the  personal  feelings  of  Col.  Harney  have 
become  interested  in  this  matter,  as  he  claims  the 
storming  and  carrying  of  the  height  called  by  us  Cerro 
Gordo,  by  Santa  Anna,  Telegraph  Hill — whereas 
Riley  states  that  his  Command  charged  the  hill  in  re 
verse,  at  the  same  time  Harney  charged  it  in  front; 
both  may  be  right,  and  I  hope  that  this  may  be  so 
decided  by  the  evidence. 

The  other  points  are  easily  established,  or  contra 
dicted;  one  is  that  Genl.  Twiggs  gives  to  Col.  Baker, 
111.  Vols.,  the  credit  of  taking  a  Battery  Col.  Riley 
avers  was  won  by  his  own  Regt.  His  Court  are  Maj. 
Genl.  Pillow,  Brig.  Genl.  Cadwalader,  Col.  Clarke,  5th 
Infy.,  and  Capt.  Anderson,  Recorder. 

I  care  very  little  about  the  labor  of  writing  as  much 
as  I  will  have  to  do,  did  I  not  fear  that  it  will  materially 
interfere  with  my  evenings'  conversations  with  you. 


268          An  Artillery  Officer 

No  one  who  is  not  as  regular  in  his  habits  as  I  am  can 
conceive  of  the  pleasure  with  which  I  nightly  resume 
my  daily  scrawls  to  you. 

I  have  advised  many  of  my  friends  who  are  home 
sick,  and,  to  kill  time,  resort  to  rather  expensive 
habits,  to  pursue  the  same  plan,  assuring  them  that 
they  would  soon  derive  benefit  and  gratification  from 
it.  It  brings  me,  as  it  were,  near  to  and  in  communion 
regularly  with  you,  before  retiring  to  bed.  Writing  to 
you  is  always,  when  I  am  well  and  not  prevented  by 
urgent  business,  the  last  work  of  the  day,  and  is  gener 
ally  finished  on  retiring  for  the  night. 

I  may  be  so  much  exhausted  by  my  duties  as  Re 
corder  of  this  Court,  as  to  shorten  our  discourses  very 
considerably.  This  may  be  advantageous,  as  I  find 
that  I  write  now  a  great  deal  about  nothing.  Not  a 
report  in  them  to-day  from  Mexico. 

Thursday,  29th. 

Though  the  time  for  retiring  has  passed,  and  I 
have  not  yet  finished  my  labors,  I  must  have  a 
short  chat.  I  am  happy  to  report  that  the  misun 
derstanding  between  Colonels  Harney  and  Riley  is,  I 
think,  from  the  testimony  of  to-day,  likely  to  be 
solved  by  the  Court  in  a  manner  probably  grateful 
to  the  feelings  of  both.  Col.  Riley's  report  alludes  to 
carrying  a  crest  of  the  Telegraph  Hill,  lower  than  the 
principal  crest  carried  by  Col.  Harney,  not  at  all  the 
same  point,  but  at  some  distance  from  it.  And  again 
it  appears  that  Col.  Riley's  Command  took  three  guns 
of  one  of  the  enemy's  Batteries  simultaneously  with  the 
carrying  of  two  of  the  same  Battery  (but  at  a  distance 
of  some  sixty  yards)  by  some  Vols.  to  whom  Genl. 
Twiggs  ascribes  the  credit  of  taking  the  Battery. 


In  Mexico  269 

Should  there  be  no  conflicting  evidence,  we  shall 
soon  finish,  and  I  shall  rejoice  at  there  being  no  just 
grounds  for  finding  serious  fault  with  either  Harney's 
or  Riley's  reports. 

I  dined  with  the  Genl.  to-day,  no  news.  A  messen 
ger  is  to  be  despatched  towards  Mexico  to-morrow, 
with  what  communication  I  know  not. 

Friday,  3Oth. 

The  Court  has  proceeded  very  well  to-day.  Why 
other  evidence  is  desired  unless  it  be  intended  to  collect 
under  oath  material  for  a  history  of  the  battles,  I  know 
not.  I  see  the  points  made  by  Col.  Riley  already 
clearly  settled  by  the  evidence.  I  fear  that  we  may  be 
drawn  into  other  matters.  I  must  keep  a  good  lookout 
to  guard  against  this. 

It  would  seem  from  the  rumors  from  Mexico,  that  the 
prospect  of  peace  which  began  to  lighten  up  a  few  days 
since,  has  disappeared,  and  that  over  the  lovely  land 
scape  we  thought  we  could  get  a  glimpse  of,  now  hangs 
the  dark  and  threatening  cloud  of  War. 

The  Mexican  Congress  of  the  I3th  inst.  sent  what 
they  called  their  ultimatum,  on  the  question  of  peace 
or  war,  which  we  received  in  print  to-day.  This  must 
be  the  paper  alluded  to  in  my  date  of  the  24th  inst. 
It  is  quite  learned  in  constitutional  law;  they  char 
acterize  our  invasion  as  the  most  unjust  of  all  aggres 
sions,  and  say,  "The  people  are  resolved  not  to 
consent  to  an  ignominious  treaty,  which  will  secure  to 
our  neighbors  the  possession  of  usurped  territory  and 
with  it  the  dominion  of  the  Continent,  closing  at  the 
same  time  our  political  life  in  such  manner  that  we 
shall  not  deserve  even  the  compassion  of  other  people, — 
that  the  Congress  has  always  resisted  everything 


27o  An  Artillery  Officer 

which  seemed  to  open  the  door  of  peace,  which  would 
now  be,  in  every  way,  disgraceful,  and  has  not  omitted 
zeal  or  precaution  to  prevent  even  the  remotest  danger 
of  that  disaster. " 

Pretty  strong  language — but  the  very  men  who 
adopted  that  language  by  a  vote  of  fifty-two  to  twenty- 
two,  might  the  next  day  consent  to  a  treaty  of  peace. 
Heavy  bribes  would,  I  have  no  doubt,  if  our  Govt. 
would  stoop  so  low  as  to  offer  them,  buy  a  majority 
of  these  patriots.  I  wish  I  could  witness  the  regenera 
tion  of  the  Mexicans  proper.  But  alas,  they  bend  their 
necks  to  the  yoke  of  the  Spanish  dons,  without  thinking 
of  their  miserably  degraded  state.  It  will  take  a 
century  to  rouse  them  from  their  torpor,  and  to  make 
them  feel  that  they  are  free — 't  is  mockery  to  speak  of 
Mexico  as  a  Republic.  The  common  laborers  of  the 
Country  are  slaves  more  lost  in  every  point  of  view 
than  our  negroes;  these  are  the  men  who  would  be 
among  the  voters.  Alas,  alas!  Having  finished  my 
homily,  I  will  bid  you  good-night,  as  you  must  be 
sleepy  after  reading  it. 

Saturday  night,  July  3ist. 

I  cannot  retire  without  saying  a  few,  they  must  be  a 
very  few,  words,  as  I  have  been  busily  engaged,  to 
night,  in  bringing  up  my  papers,  so  that  I  may  have 
a  holiday  to-morrow.  I  fear  we  shall  be  engaged  a 
day  or  two  longer,  as  Col.  Riley  insists  upon  intro 
ducing  a  good  deal  of  unimportant  matter,  and  it  is 
hard  to  check  him.  Genl.  Scott  visited  Cholula  to-day. 
Genl.  Pierce  has  been  heard  from;  he  was  at  Jalapa. 

Sunday,  August  ist. 
Another  month  has  passed,  and  another  Sabbath 


In  Mexico 


has  come,  finding  me  by  the  mercy  of  God  still  sensible 
of  His  great  mercies. 

The  news  from  Mexico,  as  derived  from  the  papers, 
is  not  in  the  least  degree  favorable  to  peace.  On  the 
27th  they  mention  Genl.  Santa  Anna  consulting  his 
principal  officers  as  to  the  question  whether  our  pro 
positions  relative  to  effecting  peace  ought  to  be  con 
sidered  or  not;  placing  their  Govt.  at  once  "in  a  position 
the  most  hostile."  Genl.  Valencia  asked  permission 
"to  take  12,000  men  and  dislodge  Genl.  Scott  from 
Puebla."  What  a  pity  the  Council  did  not  let  him 
come!  The  middle  of  the  month  will  probably  decide 
how  much  the  gallant  Genl.  can  accomplish  in  con 
tending  with  our  Army. 

'T  is  strange  that  Santa  Anna,  if  he  has  any  thoughts 
of  peace,  propounded  the  alternative  of  peace  or  war 
to  his  Army  Officers.  They,  of  course,  desire  the  War 
to  continue  —  little  care  they  for  their  bleeding  soldiery, 
their  nearly  exhausted  Treasury,  if  they  can  be  kept 
in  office  and  well  paid;  the  latter  they  will  attend  to 
themselves. 

The  laborers,  the  merchants,  the  men  of  wealth,  and 
lastly,  but  not  the  least  interesting  in  my  eyes,  the 
poor  and  oppressed  peasantry  may  one  and  all  ardently 
desire  to  taste  again  the  sweets  of  peace,  but  long 
will  be  the  time  ere  their  wishes  are  gratified,  if  Genl. 
Santa  Anna  and  his  Army  are  to  decide  when  the  War 
is  to  end. 

The  more  I  think  of  our  position,  so  far  into  the 
enemy's  country,  operating  against  them  with  Armies 
on  so  many  points,  and  with  forces  so  exceedingly 
small;  when  the  results  accomplished  by  them  are 
considered,  and  thus  far,  without  a  serious  reverse,  I 
begin  to  liken  our  position  to  that  of  some  of  the 


272  An  Artillery  Officer 

Armies  whose  exploits  are  recorded  in  the  Bible,  and 
hope  that  our  operations  are  blessed  by  God,  whose 
instruments  we  may  be,  to  effect  some  wise  scheme  of 
His  providence. 

Why  is  this  Nation  now  so  stubborn?  Never  was 
a  war  conducted  before  in  a  manner  so  little  abhorrent 
to  all  man's  finer  feelings.  We  have  been  now  in  this 
large  City  since  May  I5th,  with  a  soldiery  gathered 
from  many  Nations,  many  of  them  undisciplined,  and 
yet,  I  will  venture  the  assertion,  without  fear  of  con 
tradiction,  that,  in  no  City  of  the  same  size,  either  in 
our  own  blessed  Country  or  in  any  other,  is  private 
property,  or  are  private  rights,  more  secure  and  better 
guarded  than  here. 

And  our  Courts,  before  which  all  offences  of  a  nature 
in  the  least  serious,  against  persons,  property,  or  good 
morals,  pretty  surely  come,  will  show  that  they  have 
not  been  engaged  in  trying  higher  offences.  Not  an 
instance,  I  am  certain,  has  been  elicited,  or  brought 
to  light,  of  one  of  our  soldiers  killing  a  Mexican. 

And  since  pay  day,  though  we  have  many  men 
daily  drunk  in  the  streets,  and  they  are  frequently 
insulting,  only  one  case  of  a  man's  being  killed  in  the 
street  has  occurred — and  that  might  have  been  by  some 
of  his  comrades.  'T  is  truly  wonderful,  I  cannot 
understand  it. 

We  hear  of  the  movement  of  no  more  troops.  Can  it 
be  that  the  Govt.  thinks  that  Genl.  Scott  can  conquer 
all  Mexico  with  8500  men;  for  we  cannot  leave  this 
place  with  a  larger  force  even  after  being  joined  by 
Genl.  Pierce,  as  a  heavy  garrison  must  be  left  here 
with  our  sick. 

Genl.  S.  has  written  another  bitter,  truth-telling 
letter  to  the  Secy,  of  War,  giving  vent  to  his  just 


In  Mexico  273 

indignation  in  terms  that  will  excite  strong  feelings 
among  the  little  men  in  Washington.  He  asks  no 
favor.  Enough  for  to-night.  God  be  with  you. 

Monday  night,  August  2nd. 

Only  one  word,  for  really  I  am  so  tired  of  writing 
that  I  cannot  write.  We  had  an  afternoon  session  to 
day,  and  though  the  Court  give  me  no  additional  time 
io  bring  up  proceedings,  I  am  determined  they  shall 
find  all  right  when  we  meet.  Not  a  word  of  news,  but 
that  Midshipman  Rogers,  so  long  in  the  hands  of  the 
Mexicans,  is  now  here.  What  news  he  brings,  I  know 
not.  I  hope  that  we  shall  finish  in  one  day  more,  to 
enable  me  to  resume  my  chat  with  you.  Good-night. 

Tuesday,  August  3rd. 

Thank  God,  I  have  received  letters  from  you.  They 
tell  of  your  apprehensions  about  me.  Oh,  my  wife, 
how  full  is  my  heart  of  gratitude  to  our  Heavenly 
Father.  He  stayed,  and,  I  hope,  has  dissipated,  your 
burning  fever,  and  over  me  He  has  always  His  pro 
tecting  shield.  What  can  we  do  without  Him?  Oh! 
let  us  never  cease  to  praise  His  holy  name. 

The  mail  came  in  very  unexpectedly  bringing  me 
your  letters  of  the  loth,  i8th,  and  2Oth,  the  latter 
giving  me  news  to  the  24th.  I  can  write  no  more  to 
night.  That  Almighty  God  will  continue  to  guard 
and  protect  you  is  my  earnest  prayer,  and  ever  with 
me,  an  abiding,  a  soothing,  happy  hope  and  belief. 
Good-night. 

Wednesday,  4th. 

Having  finished  the  proceedings  of  our  Court,  I 
took  them  to  Genl.  Scott,  and,  on  his  invitation, 

18 


274          An  Artillery  Officer 

remained  to  sup  with  him.  Supper  was  followed,  about 
ten  o'clock,  by  some  hot  whiskey  punch.  I  knew  that 
the  punch  would  be  excellent,  and  the  company  was 
good;  my  most  esteemed  host,  Genl.  Quitinda  (a 
gentleman),  Cadwalader  (whom  your  Father  knows), 
Mr.  Trist,  Captains  Huger  and  Drum,  and  Maj.  Kirby 
and  I  remained  till  punch  time. 

The  Army  is  to  commence  its  advance  upon  Mexico 
this  week.  Genl.  Pierce  will  arrive  early  the  6th  inst. 
Major  Gaines  arrived  this  evening,  having  effected 
his  escape  from  the  enemy.  Good-night. 

Thursday,  5th. 

The  order  for  our  advance  is  issued.  Genl.  Twiggs's 
Division  marches  Saturday,  7th;  Quitman's  Sunday; 
Worth's  Monday;  and  Pillow's  Tuesday,  loth,  Col. 
Childs  remaining  here  as  Governor,  and  Capt.  De  Hart, 
just  convalescent,  as  Lt.  Governor.  Every  Officer  and 
man  incapable  of  performing  three  days'  march,  to  be 
left,  and  organized  into  Companies,  Regiments,  etc.,  as 
they  may  be  reported  fit  for  garrison  duty;  the  per 
manent  garrison  is  not  yet  named. 

This  order,  will,  I  presume,  send  our  very  amiable 
Lt.  Col.  to  us  again.  God  knows  what  the  result  of 
this  movement  may  be.  The  Govt.  has  left  us  without 
funds,  and  our  Staff  Depts.  are  deeply  in  debt.  In 
Mexico  it  is  said  that  drafts  on  New  York,  etc.,  can  be 
readily  converted  into  cash.  We  must  then  perforce 
go  there,  and  raise  the  wind,  though  we  may  have  to 
pass  through  a  heavy  storm  ere  we  can  get  at  the  cash. 

Lt.  Thorn,  Genl.  Pierce's  A.D.C.,  says  that  they 
received  information,  after  their  being  some  days  in 
march,  that  six  vessels  had  arrived  at  Vera  Cruz,  sub 
sequent  to  their  departure,  so  that  we  may  soon  have 


In  Mexico  275 

another  re-enforcement.  Genl.  P.  brings  us  about 
2500,  including  300  Marines — the  latter  are  very 
acceptable,  as  they  are  always  good  troops. 

I  fear  that  two  of  my  notes  to  you  have  been  lost,  as 
I  learn  that  two  carriers,  taking  letters  to  Vera  Cruz, 
have  been  taken,  one  hung,  and  the  other's  throat 
cut.  I  will  continue  to  try  all  who  venture,  as  one  may 
be  lucky  enough  to  escape,  and  thus  give  you  a  line 
from  me. 

Lt.  Welch,  3rd  Arty.,  will  join  to-morrow,  with  some 
recruits  of  Capt.  Bunker's  Compy.  Lt.  Thorn  tells 
us  that  my  old  friend  Maj.  Gait  looks  badly.  I  shall 
be  most  happy  to  take  him  by  the  hand,  and  regret 
that  he  comes  not  in  good  health,  as  his  merry  laugh  is 
refreshing.  We  have  not  many  good  laughers  among  us 
now;  thoughts  of  home,  and  the  dreadful  uncertainty 
of  when  we  shall  return  to  all  we  love  on  earth,  are 
silvering  many  a  head.  God's  will  be  done.  He  knows 
best  all  things. 

Father  is  right  about ;  he  came  into  Genl.  S.'s 

Quarters  last  night,  fully  two-thirds  drunk.  I  was 
vexed  and  mortified  to  death. 

/ 

Friday,  6th. 

Genl.  Pierce  arrived  with  his"  Command,  and  I  am 
happy  in  being  able  to  say  that  friend  Major  Gait  looks 
better  than  I  expected  to  see  him.  I  called,  this  after 
noon,  to  see  some  of  the  Marines.  Their  Commander, 
Lt.  Col.  Watson,  I  knew  some  years  since  at  Ports 
mouth,  N.  H.,  and  two  of  the  Captains,  Reynolds  and 
Baker,  are  former  acquaintances.  I  hoped  that  they 
would  be  assigned  to  our  Division  but  they  have  been 
attached  to  Genl.  Quitman's  Brigade. 

Ours  is,  I  believe,  now  the  strongest  Brigade  in  the 


276  An  Artillery  Officer 

Army, — it  would  therefore  have  been  unreasonable 
to  have  added  to  our  strength. 

By  the  bye,  I  heard  to-day  that  Genl.  Worth  had 
written  to  Genl.  Scott  a  half  apologetic  letter,  upon 
which  Genl.  Scott,  as  he  always  does,  jumped  over  all 
that  had  passed,  and  they  are  again  reconciled.  I  hope 
it  may  be  sincere,  but  Genl.  W.  is  a  little  too  impatient 
of  control  by  his  old  Milty.  Commander,  who  taught 
him  the  alphabet  of  war,  and  has  taken  him  through  all 
the  classes,  even  to  the  highest  in  that  school. 

We  have  another  report  from  Mexico.  That  Valen 
cia  has  fortified  his  position  at  Guadalupe,  and  declared 
against  Santa  Anna.  That  cannot  be  true — the  enemy 
is  too  near  the  door  to  render  justifiable  such  a  step. 
All  agree  in  the  opinion  that  if  we  have  a  battle,  it  will 
be  a  hard  fought  one. 

Lt.  Welch  called  this  afternoon  and  delivered  me 
your  letter  from  Savannah  dated  May  2Qth.  Among 
the  newcomers,  I  see  a  son  of  Col.  De  Russey's.  You 
saw  him  once  or  twice,  I  think,  at  West  Point.  Dis 
missal  and  rejection  from  the  Military  Academy  have 
proved  very  fortunate  events  for  several  young  men, 
who  are  placed  far  above  the  heads  of  their  more 
fortunate  classmates,  "who  were  fools  enough  to 
graduate."  One  man  is  Col.  whose  classmates  are 
second  Lieuts.,  and  some  of  them  very  low  down  in 
that  grade.  Oh !  the  sweets,  the  beauties  of  democracy. 
West  Point  is  too  aristocratic  to  have  any  attention 
paid  to  laws  intended  to  protect  the  rights  of  those 
who  plod  through  that  institution.  But  thank  God, 
every  battlefield  attests  the  steady  valor  of  her  pupils: 
there  has  been  no  faltering,  no  wavering  among  them. 
Though  I  have  in  my  previous  letters  written  enough 
about  the  sights  of  Puebla,  I  ought  not  to  leave  it 


In  Mexico  277 

without  saying  something  about  the  night  market. 
Many  scenes  are  worthy  of  Mr.  Weir's  pencil — those 
beautiful  and  rich  contrasts  of  light  and  shade  we  so 
often  admired  in  looking  at  our  campfires.  The 
principal  market  presents  a  more  variegated  view  than 
does  the  little  one  in  front  of  my  window. 

I  will  say  a  few  words  about  our  house  scene.  Directly 
in  front  of  my  window  is  the  stall  of  two  women  who 
sell  all  kinds  of  fruit,  disposed  in  piles  or  pieces  of  mat 
ting.  This  stall  is  covered  with  long  shingles,  and  is 
closed  behind  by  a  piece  of  matting,  but  open  on  the 
sides  and  in  front;  the  two  are  seated  back,  near  a 
blazing  fire  of  lightwood,  giving  a  picturesque  effect, 
as  you  see  customers  approach,  and  by  change  of 
position  see  them  now  in  strong  light,  now  mostly 
in  deep  shade. 

Next  you  find  a  different  and  the  most  ordinary, 
kind  of  stall, — it  is  a  piece  of  matting  fastened  upon  the 
top  of  a  stake,  by  being  tied  to  the  ends  of  five  or  more 
cross-pieces,  the  pole  sticking  into  a  hole  a  few  inches 
deep.  These  look,  at  a  distance,  like  the  umbrella 
we  see  on  the  old  china  plates;  the  arrangement  for 
light  is  different  here  from  the  other,  as  he  has  a  tripod 
about  three  feet  high,  with  a  blazing  torch  of  light- 
wood  on  top,  and  the  effect  of  the  light  from  this  is 
very  fine;  in  the  next  you  may  perhaps  see  a 
candle,  but  this  looks  too  poor  by  the  side  of  its 
neighbors. 

The  groups  around  these  stalls,  the  figures  passing 
in  front  of  them,  with  now  and  then  one  suddenly 
emerging  from,  or  disappearing  into  the  darkness  of 
the  background,  with  the  effect  of  light  on  the  piles 
of  fruits,  varying  in  colors  from  the  snowy  white  of  the 
onion  to  the  yellow  of  the  orange,  or  the  dark  hue  of 


278  An  Artillery  Officer 

the  sapote,  form  rich  pictures.     But  bless  me,  I  must 
close!    Good-night.     God  guard  you. 

Saturday,  7th. 

Genl.  Twiggs  has  moved  with  his  Division — the  head 
of  his  column  marched  about  ten  miles,  the  rear,  not 
more  than  half  that  distance.  I  presume  that  the 
object  will  be  to  accomplish  the  day's  march  before  the 
jain  commences,  which  is  usually  after  three  o'clock. 
Short  marches  will  therefore  be  made  all  the  way. 

The  Genl.  is  very  much  worried  to-day,  at  a  report 
from  Col.  Childs ,  the  newly  appointed  Civil  and  Milty. 
Governor,  remonstrating  against  the  inadequacy  of  the 
garrison  proposed  to  be  left  here — the  first  Regt.  Penna. 
Vols.  and  two  Companies  of  Regulars,  with  the  sick  and 
all  who  are  unable  to  perform  three  days'  march, 
would,  Genl.  S.  thought,  afford  a  sufficient  protection. 
What  he  will  decide  upon,  I  know  not,  but  he  is 
very  uneasy. 

He  dines  to-day  with  Genl.  Pierce,  at  Genl. 
Worth's.  I  was  with  him  from  his  dinner  hour,  dining 
there,  till  he  went  out  to  dinner.  Genl.  P.  introduced 
the  Col.  and  Officers  of  the  9th  New  England  Regt, 
to  the  Genl.  They  presented  some  fine  faces  and  heads 
among  the  group. 

Genl.  S.  hopes,  that  instead  of  the  Governor's  chair, 
your  Father  will  consent  to  be  run  for  the  Senate.  I 
told  him  of  the  position  in  which  Father  is  now  placed — 
that  he  would  be  told  by  the  Whigs,  "If  you  do  not 
run  for  Governor,  we  shall  lose  the  State  elections  and 
consequently  the  United  States  Senator — you  run,  we 
carry  everything — and  this  election  is  all  important  to  us 
and  our  party. "  Strong  points  these  may  be,  in  Father's 
opinion ;  and  if  so,  as  a  politician,  he  cannot  refuse. 


In  Mexico  279 

Maj.  Wade  is  worried  to  death  by  a  letter  he  re 
ceived  the  other  day  from  his  wife;  he  has  alluded  to 
it  several  times,  but  I  never  ask  any  questions,  parti 
cularly  about  family  affairs,  and  again,  I  am  tired  of 
throwing  away  counsel  and  advice,  and  have  resolved 
henceforth  to  be  very  discreet  if  I  can. 

Our  Lt.  Col.  assumed  the  command  of  the  Regt.  this 
afternoon — this  cuts  short  the  reign  of  Capt.  Burke. 
Capt.  Kendrick  of  the  2nd  Arty,  is  to  remain  here.  I 
regret  that  exceedingly,  as  the  Capt.  is  very  anxious 
to  go  on,  and  he  would  collect  a  mass  of  matter  of  the 
geology,  etc.,  of  the  Country  between  this  place  and 
Mexico  and  in  the  suburbs  of  the  City,  which  would 
be  valuable. 

I  will  now  retire.  I  intend  devoting  to-morrow 
to  finishing  this  and  some  other  letters  I  have  com 
menced.  No.  1 8  will  then  give  the  beginning  of  our 
advance  to  the  Capital. 

Sunday,  8th. 

We  have  received  our  orders  to  march  at  6  o'clock 
in  the  morning;  to  prepare  for  that  start,  our  reveille  is 
to  be  beat  at  3  o'clock.  Why  three  hours  are  required 
to  prepare  for  starting,  I  could  never  yet  see.  The  men 
would  march  much  better  by  not  being  aroused  so 
unnecessarily  early. 

I  had  intended,  when  I  finished  writing  last 
night,  to  have  devoted  some  two  or  three  hours  of 
to-day  to  writing,  but  I  have  had  enough  to  occupy 
me,  attending  to  Compy.  and  private  matters.  I 
saw  Col.  Childs  in  the  City  this  morning,  riding  through 
one  of  its  streets  with  half  a  dozen  Dragoons  as  an 
escort.  He  is  capable  of  making  as  much  out  of  a 
trifle  as  any  man  I  ever  saw.  He  must  be  a  good 


280          An  Artillery  Officer 

soldier,  or  he  never  could  have  gained  the  reputation 
he  had  in  the  Army. 

I  leave  thirteen  men,  invalids,  here,  but  many  of  them 
are  capable  of  performing  light  garrison  duty.  All 
the  married  men  are  well,  and  accompany  me.  Of  poor 
Cramer,  left  sick  at  Vera  Cruz,  I  have  not  heard  for  a 
very  long  time.  I  feel  very  uneasy  about  him.  Suffern, 
the  drummer,  is  rapidly  improving,  but  is  yet  too  weak 
to  march  with  the  Compy.  to-morrow.  Poor  little 
fellow,  he  is  very  anxious  to  go  on. 

One  of  the  young  Georgia  officers  dined  with  us  to 
day — Lt.  Forsyth ;  he  is  not  very  brisk  in  his  appearance. 
He  is  from  Macon,  I  think  he  said.  We  hear  that 
other  troops  are  at  Vera  Cruz.  Can  Duncan  be  among 
those?  We  hope  that  the  most  dangerous  part  of  the 
yellow  fever  season  has  passed.  Genl.  Pierce,  I  think, 
did  not  lose  a  man  by  the  vomit,  after  he  got  into 
Camp. 

I  will  now  close  this  letter,  the  last  from  Puebla, 
commencing  another  the  first  evening  I  have  leisure. 
I  leave  Puebla  with  some  regret,  as  I  have  had  many 
delightful  chats  with  you  and  have  had  several  of  your 
letters,  in  my  snug  room  here.  That  our  Heavenly 
Father  will,  in  his  wisdom,  so  order  events  as  soon  to 
restore  me  to  you,  and  that  He  will  continue  to  pour 
upon  us  His  choicest  blessings,  crowning,  in  each  of  us, 
all  with  pure  faith  in  Him,  is  my  earnest  and  constant 
prayer. 

No.  18.     Rio  PRIETO  (Black  River). 

Monday,  August  9th. 

Four  leagues  (eleven  miles)  on  the  road  to  Mexico. 
We  are,  at  last,  off  for  the  far  famed  City  of  Mexico. 
Our  march  has  been  a  very  unpleasant  one,  in  conse- 


In  Mexico  28r 

quence  of  having  eyes,  nose,  mouth,  and  ears  filled  with 
dust;  luckily  for  us,  the  day's  march  was  so  short, 
that  we  reached  our  bivouac  by  12  o'clock. 

To  let  you  into  some  of  the  discomforts  sometimes 
resulting  from  want  of  rank,  or  rank  not  well  defined, 
I  will  give  you  an  anecdote,  the  principal  sufferers  by 
which  are  Major  Wade  and  myself.  The  Major  and 
Capt.  A.  were  both,  during  the  absence  of  Col.  Beltonfrom 
the  Regiment,  assigned  to  duty  as  Field  Officers.  Lt. 
Col.  B.  having  reported  for  duty  with  the  Regt.  relieved 
Capt.  Burke  from  its  command,  and  gives  us  as  the 
orders  now  stand,  four  Field  Officers,  one  per  Compy. 

Anticipating  something  of  what  has  happened,  I 
took  command  of  the  Compy.  the  day  before  Col. 
Belton  joined.  Yesterday,  when  we  were  having  our 
mess  furniture  packed,  Major  W.  asked  if  I  could  take 
the  mess  articles  in  "G"  Co.  wagon.  I  told  him  I 
feared  it  would  be  impossible,  as  the  wagon  would  be 
very  full,  but  I  would  have  as  many  articles  carried  as 
was  possible. 

I  accordingly  this  morning  had  one  of  the  boxes  put 
in  my  wagon,  and  after  we  were  out  of  the  City,  Den- 
astonished  me  by  saying  that  the  box  containing  all 
our  provisions,  tea,  coffee,  and  most  of  the  cooking 
articles  and  table  furniture  was  left  behind. 

It  seems  that  the  Major  made  a  fruitless  attempt  to 
have  it  placed  in  the  field  staff  wagon.  Not  being  in 
command  of  the  Compy.  he  could  not  order  it  to  be 
put  with  the  Company's  property.  Thus  has  the  Major 
verified  the  truth  of  the  fable  of  the  ass  between  two 
bales  of  hay. 

My  position  is  pretty  good,  as  friend  Derr  will  easily 
manage  to  supply  me  with  coffee  from  the  Compy.,  and 
my  old  soup-digester  is  in  the  box  that  came.  I  am 


282  An  Artillery  Officer 

glad  it  is  safe.  We  have  sent  back,  and  in  a  day  or  two 
the  error  will  have  been  rectified. 

Genl.  Scott  and  Staff  are  probably  now  with  the 
advance,  as  he  left  yesterday  morning  with  Genl. 
Quitman's  Division — intending  to  leave  it,  under  an 
escort  of  Cavalry,  and  overtake  Genl.  Twiggs. 

The  dust  was  so  very  unpleasant  to-day  that  I  could 
not  enjoy  the  scenery.  One  road,  sufficiently  undu 
lating  for  good  marching,  passed  through  an  almost 
continued  succession  of  corn  fields,  from  that  receiving 
its  first,  and  perhaps  only  ploughing,  to  that  in  which 
the  corn  is  ripe,  and  acres  of  beans.  The  two  snowy 
mountains,  so  often  mentioned  in  my  letters  from 
Puebla,  are  on  the  left  and  in  front  of  us.  As  we 
advance,  the  old  crater  near  the  top  of  Popocatepetl 
begins  to  shew  its  ragged  lip  distinctly.1  Why  can 
I  not  sketch?  I  would  give  anything  for  a  good  daguer 
reotype  apparatus,  which  would  enable  me  to  present 
you  with  accurate  representations  of  scenes  which 
please  me  here. 

I  was  going  to  say  that  I  never  would  again  go  into 
foreign  parts,  without  having  one,  but  with  my  present 
feelings,  I  willingly  ask  you  to  terminate  that  sentence, 
as  the  little  grammarian  would  say,  with  a  full  stop 
after  the  word  "parts."  Several  Mexicans  accom 
panied  us  and  I  noticed  that  they  ate^the  stock  of  the 
corn  as  we  do  the  sugar  cane. 

The  men  have  stood  the  march  pretty  well.  I 
started  Derr  on  the  pony  placed  at  my  disposal  by 
Major  W.,  but  the  poor  fellow  could  n't  stand  it  longer 
than  about  four  miles,  when  I  saw  him  leading  him, 
saying  that  he  was  tired  of  riding. 

We  bivouac  on  a  road,  leading  perpendicularly  to 

1 A  sketch  was  enclosed  in  letter. 


In  Mexico  283 

the  right  from  the  main  road,  just  giving  room  for  the 
Officers'  tents,  and  a  passway  between  them  and  the 
stacks  of  arms,  a  broad  ditch  separating  us,  on  either 
side,  from  a  corn  field  in  which  our  men,  in  despite  of 
orders,  will  collect  some  fine  roasting  ears  for  their 
supper.  Enough  for  one  night's  journal.  Good-night, 
etc.,  etc. 

SAN  MARTIN  EL  GRANDE,  ABOUT  ELEVEN  MILES  FROM 
Rio  PRIETO. 

Tuesday,  roth. 

After  another  dusty  march,  not  quite  so  bad 
as  yesterday,  because  of  our  not  having  as  much  wind, 
we  reached  this  place  at  half -past  twelve.  The  country, 
to  be  more  particular,  the  land  along  the  road,  is  very 
rich,  the  corn  being  higher  and  of  richer  growth  than 
any  I  have  seen  in  Mexico.  The  corn  fields  extend  for 
miles  along  the  road,  which  passes  through  them, 
separated  by  a  ditch,  the  earth  of  which  forms  on  the 
corn  field  side  a  tolerably  steep  embankment.  The 
divisions  between  the  fields  appear  to  be  mere  lanes, 
or  wide  roads. 

You  see  at  the  distance  of  a  mile  from  the  road,  as 
you  approach  San  Martin,  a  small  piece  enclosed  by  a 
post  and  rail  fence,  nearly  the  only  one  I  have  seen  in 
this  Country,  and  in  the  suburbs  the  fields  of  pepper  and 
beans  are  enclosed  by  a  fence  of  clay — unburnt  brick, 
I  suppose  the  book-makers  would  call  it.  I  saw  some 
Mexicans  repairing  a  dam;  this  is  secured  by  large 
pieces  of  sod,  placed  on  each  other,  the  grassy  side  up, 
rammed  or  beaten  down  by  a  large  maul.  You  would 
have  been  amused  to  see  them  work — one  man  digs 
the  sod,  using  for  this  a  Mexican  spade  of  wood,  shod 
with  iron;  another  man  carries  the  sods  on  his  back, 


284  An  Artillery  Officer 

using  for  this  purpose  the  strap  passing  over  his  shoulders, 
as  so  often  described. 

In  one  field,  I  counted  twenty-three  ploughs  at 
work,  each  drawn  by  two  oxen,  managed  by  means  of 
the  long  goad,  described  in  my  letter  about  Cholula. 
By  the  bye,  we  see  along  the  road  constantly,  pieces  of 
pottery,  giving  the  land  the  appearance  of  having  been 
a  huge  potter's  yard,  "a  la  Trollope." 

About  two  hours  after  we  halted,  all  were  called  to 
arms  by  the  beating  of  the  generate.  A  few  lancers, 
it  is  said,  were  seen  on  some  eminence  around  the  town, 
which  caused  this  stampede,  as  such  false  alarms  are 
called;  all  expect  another  to-night.  We  are  very 
unfortunate,  as  we  have  more  in  our  Division  than  they 
have  in  either  of  the  others.  The  love  plant  and  the 
four  o'clocks,  with  the  morning  glory,  we  saw  apparently 
growing  wild. 

The  first  view,  just  as  day  was  dawning  this  morning, 
of  the  top  of  Popocatepetl  was  more  beautiful  than  any 
I  have  had.  As  you  chanced  to  look  in  its  direction, 
your  attention  might  be  caught  by  an  exceedingly 
delicate  white  pyramid  in  the  heavens;  as  the  eye 
rests  on  it,  it  gradually  assumes  a  more  distinct  and 
better  marked  outline  and  finally,  at  sunrise,  the  snow- 
clad  mountain  stands  perfectly  defined  before  you. 

Early  in  the  morning  the  snow  is  tinted  with  a  beauti 
ful  tint  of  light  blue.  But  the  mountain,  as  first  seen, 
just  as  the  earliest  rays  of  the  rising  sun  kiss  it,  had  to 
me  the  appearance  of  a  dream :  I  can  express  the  effect 
on  me  in  no  better  manner.  I  wish  I  could  so  describe 
it  to  Mr.  Weir,  as  to  have  it  painted.  'T  is  said  that 
the  Indians  called  this  mountain  the  "Blazing  Star." 
As  we  must  prepare  for  a  stampede,  I  will  now  retire. 
Good-night,  etc.,  etc. 


In  Mexico  285 

CHALCO,  Friday,  i3th. 

We  were  agreeably  disappointed,  in  not  being  dis 
turbed  in  our  rest,  what  little  the  fleas  did  not  deprive 
us  of,  at  San  Martin.  That  day's  march  was  not  very 
interesting — a  few  miles  of  the  rich  plain  was  passed, 
and  we  commenced  the  gradual  ascent  of  the  mountains 
separating  the  plains  of  Puebla,  etc.,  from  that  of 
Mexico. 

The  road  was  pretty  good  for  a  mountain  one; 
pine  and  oak,  with  an  occasional  undergrowth  of 
laurel  and  two  or  three  kinds  of  trees  that  I  did  not 
recognize  as  American  friends,  skirted  our  course. 
Coarse  sandstone  and  pudding-stone  with  pieces  of 
volcanic  origin,  were  all  I  noticed  in  mineralogy. 

At  ten  or  eleven  miles  we  crossed  the  bridge  of  Tema- 
lucan,  and  about  four  o'clock  in  a  cold  rain  halted  seven 
or  eight  miles  further  at  Rio  Frio,  where  I  passed  a  very 
uncomfortable  night.  Yesterday  morning,  we  started 
about  six  o'clock  to  halt,  as  we  were  informed,  at  the 
Venta  de  Cordova,  a  march  of  only  eleven  miles. 

The  country,  this  day,  was  much  more  broken  than 
that  passed  over  yesterday — a  few  miles  this  side  of 
Rio  Frio,  we  passed  under  several  hills,  where  the 
Mexicans  had  completed,  or  commenced  batteries,  to 
defend  the  road.  Had  they  made  a  stand  there,  we 
should  have  lost  several  of  our  brave  troops,  but  the 
Mexicans  must  have  lost  their  batteries. 

At  ten  o'clock  precisely,  by  my  watch,  on  reaching 
the  top  of  a  little  hill,  my  eyes  caught  the  first  view  of 
the  valley  of  Mexico.  There  it  lay,  as  seen  through  the 
narrow  opening  made  by  the  road,  in  the  overhanging 
trees;  a  quiet  landscape,  having  in  the  foreground  a 
sheet  of  water;  the  portion  of  the  valley  visible  blending 
itself  imperceptibly  in  distant  mountains,  which  could 


286          An  Artillery  Officer 

scarcely  be  distinguished,  the  day  being  at  that  moment 
cloudy,  with  a  gentle  mist  from  the  clouds  which 
rested  on  their  sides. 

Every  turn  of  the  road  now  opened  to  us  a  new  or 
more  extensive  view  in  which  the  pictures  were  formed  ; 
every  variety  of  green  that  could  be  formed  by  the 
varied  light  and  shade  of  passing  clouds  and  by  real 
difference  of  shade,  with  mountains  here,  nearly  in 
the  foreground,  there,  in  the  distance,  and  beyond, 
limiting  the  view;  and  lake,  in  this  part,  almost  un- 
distinguishable  from  the  grass  and  slime,  which  nearly 
covered  it,  to  the  clear  water,  in  which  the  shadows 
of  the  passing  clouds  were  visible;  the  picture  studded 
with  haciendas,  some  traced  out  by  their  huge  mud 
walls  enclosing  immense  courtyards,  like  fortifications, 
villages  with  churches,  etc.,  presented  views  which 
were  charming  to  those  who  hoped  that  there  lay  the 
City,  from  which  they  must  return  to  their  beloved 
homes. 

Indeed,  independent  of  everything,  the  scenery  was 
beautiful.  The  descent  was  rapid  and  the  view  of 
our  Division,  which  could  be  seen  distinctly  by  looking 
ahead  and  in  rear  (we  were  near  the  rear),  as  it  wound 
its  way  down  compactly  and  rapidly,  was  the  most 
beautiful  panoramic  picture  I  ever  saw;  our  wagon 
train  extended  two  or  three  miles,  and  could  be  seen 
with  their  white  tops  passing  through  the  trees  which 
shaded  the  road. 

Everything  from  the  Rio  Frio  to  the  Venta  de 
Cordova  was  wild,  not  a  trace  of  a  house  was  visible ; 
this  day's  march  and  that  of  yesterday,  however, 
told  us  too  plainly  that  man  with  all  his  worst 
passions  had  been  there — the  cross,  here,  of  large 
pieces  of  wood,  with  the  name  of  the  murderer's  victim, 


In  Mexico  287 

the  year  of  his  death,  and  an  appeal  to  the  passer-by 
to  utter  a  prayer  for  the  benefit  of  his  soul;  there,  of 
two  simple  sticks,  or  a  single  one  with  the  branches 
forming  that  holy  emblem,  marks  the  place  of  murder. 
In  some  places,  a  little  kind  of  altar,  scooped  out  of 
the  rock,  had  the  cross  and  name  rudely  cut. 

The  timber  on  the  roadside  was  the  same  as  that 
seen  on  the  day  before,  but  some  of  the  oaks  and  pines 
were  about  three  feet  in  diameter — the  pines  beautifully 
straight;  on  this  side  of  the  mountain  we  saw  cedar 
in  abundance.  Along  the  route  grew  beautiful  flowers, 
some  of  which  would  form  valuable  additions  to  our 
garden  flowers. 

We  are  now  in  a  dirty  village  at  the  head  of  Lake 
Chalco,  whose  name  it  bears.  The  lake,  or  rather  the 
slime  covered  water  of  the  lake,  is  within  two  hundred 
yards  of  the  shoemaker's  shop  we  inhabit.  The  market 
ing  is  brought  in  canoes,  which  drawing  little  water  are 
paddled  through  the  slime  and  weeds. 

Genl.  Scott,  who  is  on  the  main  road  leading  between 
Lakes  Chalco  and  Texcoco,  paid  Genl.  Worth  a  visit 
this  morning.  He  is  in  fine  spirits,  and  has  his  en 
gineers  engaged  to-day  in  reconnoitring  the  approaches, 
between  those  lakes,  to  the  City.  He  hopes  to  succeed 
in  turning  Penon  Grande  with  its  strong  batteries, 
keeping  its  garrison  in  check  by  holding  near  it  a  strong 
force  and  reaching  the  suburbs  of  the  City  without  the 
immense  sacrifice  the  storming  of  that  hill  now  sur 
rounded  by  a  sheet  of  water  would  cost  us. 

Genl.  Worth  has  been  directed  to  reconnoitre  the 
road  leading  from  our  position  around  Lake  Chalco  to 
the  rear  of  the  City.  The  reconnoissance  being  com 
pleted,  the  Genl.  will  decide  on  his  plan  of  attack  and 
our  Division  will  lead.  We  are  collecting  boats  and 


288  An  Artillery  Officer 

timber  to  be  used  as  may  be  deemed  advisable.  If 
necessary,  the  City  may  be  approached  by  water  from 
this  and  from  several  other  points.  An  order  has  this 
moment  been  received,  asking  for  the  number  of  boat- 
builders  and  caulkers  in  our  Division. 

Genl.  Pillow  arrived  this  afternoon,  with  his  Com 
mand,  which  is  now  in  this  place  and  in  some  haciendas 
near  us.  We  shall  soon  have  stirring  times,  in  which, 
I  fear,  I  shall  not  be  able  to  keep  up  my  daily  conver 
sations  with  you.  Last  night  I  did  not  write  because 
of  my  being  directed  by  our  Dr.  to  change  my  quarters 
from  those  selected  to  dryer  ones,  making  it  late  before 
I  was  fixed.  The  night  before  was  too  damp  and  cold 
for  me  to  open  my  escritoire.  But  I  will  not  now  tire 
you  by  too  long  a  talk.  Good-night. 

Saturday,  I4th. 

Last  was  a  memorable  night;  we  had  been  in  bed 
just  long  enough  to  get  comfortably  into  the  first  nap, 
when  we  were  roused  by  Dr.  Satterlee's  entering  and 
directing  our  Surgeon  to  go  about  five  miles  into  the 
country  where  he  would  find  Lt.  Hamilton,  an  acting 
aid-de-camp  of  Genl.  Scott's,  badly  wounded.  The  Dr. 
kept  us  awake  some  time  before  he  got  off,  and  returned 
in  about  an  hour,  having  met  the  Infy.  sent  out  with 
Lt.  H.  returning;  by  the  Comdg.  officer  of  which  he 
was  informed  that  Lt.  H.  was  well  taken  care  of  in 
a  hacienda,  and  under  the  care  of  a  French  doctor  who 
was  there,  and  that  he  was  too  sick  to  be  moved. 

Two  wounded  men  were  soon  brought  for  the  Doc 
tor's  attention,  and  as  we  were  separated  from  the 
hospital  by  only  a  thin  partition,  balmy  sleep  paid  us 
a  very  unsatisfactory  and  short  visit,  before  reveille 
was  beat. 


In  Mexico  289 

Lt.  Hamilton  is  now  here,  having  been  brought  in 
on  a  litter.  Dr.  Holden  says  that  he  is  in  no  immediate 
danger;  last  night  he  had  a  very  profuse  hemorrhage, 
and  his  life  was  despaired  of.  He  started  about  twelve 
yesterday  with  an  escort  of  Dragoons  and  Infantry, 
to  bring  a  gentleman  named  Robinson  into  town,  who 
is  said  to  be  well  acquainted  with  the  routes  leading  to 
Mexico. 

The  Infy.  halted  in  a  small  village,  from  which  they 
were  enabled  to  watch,  from  an  eminence,  the  advance 
of  the  Cavalry,  which  proceeded  with  Lt.  Hamilton. 
The  Cavalry  had  not  proceeded  far  before  they  were 
surrounded  by  a  body  of  Lancers,  say  about  two  hund 
red,  who  made  furious  charges  on  them — the  contest, 
though  very  unequal,  was  well  maintained  by  our 
men,  numbering  about  seventy,  for  half  an  hour,  when 
the  enemy  retreated. 

The  Infy.  soon  joined  the  Cavalry, — Lt.  Hamilton 
was  found  badly  speared,  one  Dragoon  killed,  another 
mortally  wounded,  and  one  of  the  officers  of  the  native 
Spy  Compy.  slightly  wounded.  Six  of  the  Mexicans 
were  killed.  I  fear  that  Lt.  H.  may  not  survive,  as 
his  lungs  are  thought  to  be  wounded.  He  is  a  very 
gentlemanly  Officer. 

Lt.  Col.  Duncan  returned  from  a  reconnoitring  party 
this  afternoon  along  the  left  shore  of  Lake  Chalco;  his 
report  is,  I  learn,  favorable,  representing  the  road  as 
perfectly  practicable  half  way  to  the  City,  as  far  as  he 
went. 

The  Engineers  also  finished  their  reconnoissances  on 
the  other  roads,  those  between  the  Lakes  Texcoco  and 
Chalco.  They  were  permitted  by  the  Mexicans  to 
pass  around  the  Penon,  at  about  three  hundred  yards 
distance  from  it,  without  being  fired  upon.  Another 

19 


290  An  Artillery  Officer 

party  advanced  as  far  as  the  town  of  Mexicalsingo ; 
the  road  to  within  three  hundred  yards  of  that  place, 
was  clear  of  any  obstructions,  then,  it  was  considerably 
narrowed,  and  was  completely  swept  by  the  guns  of 
several  batteries. 

To-morrow  I  expect  to  see  Genl.  Scott's  order  for 
our  advance.  I  marched  on  guard  this  morning  with 
the  Compy.  but,  in  consequence  of  a  very  great  change 
in  the  weather,  a  cold,  ugly  rain,  the  Dr.  advised  my 
being  retired.  I  have  therefore  turned  over  the  guard 
to  the  subaltern  on  duty  with  me,  and  am  now  in  my 
Quarters.  I  the  more  willingly  acquiesce  in  this,  as  I 
am  convinced  were  I  exposed  to-night,  I  would  have 
another  attack  of  chills  and  fever,  which  would  keep  me 
from  the  coming  fight.  Good-night. 

Sunday  morning,  I5th. 

Orders  have  just  been  received,  half -past  eleven,  that 
we  are  to  start  at  three  this  afternoon — our  Division, 
followed,  I  presume,  by  the  others,  approach  Mexico 
by  the  road  which  has  Lake  Chalco  on  its  right.  We 
therefore  strike  the  Capital  in  rear.  Ft.  Chapultepec 
will  then  be  our  first  point  of  attack.  I  hope  that  I 
may  have  daily  some  opportunity  of  adding  a  few  lines 
to  this  letter.  I  go  on  with  a  full  and  unwavering 
faith  in  the  mercy  and  kindness  of  our  Heavenly  Father. 
He  will  do  what  is  best  for  us.  May  He  bless  and  pre 
serve  you.  Good-day. 

SAN  GARGGORIO,  Monday  evening,  i6th. 

We  left  Chalco  yesterday  in  a  little  sprinkle,  but  with 

every  prospect  of  a  heavy  rain;  we  were,  however, 

agreeably  disappointed,  as  we  reached  our  encamping 

ground,  Tetelco,  and  passed  the  night  without  rain. 


In  Mexico 


This  morning's  march,  a  short  one,  say  of  eight  miles, 
was  quietly  made,  as  no  enemy  was  seen,  and  no 
obstructions  met  with. 

Genl.  Scott,  who  did  not  leave  Chalco  till  this 
morning,  has  arrived  in  our  Camp.  We  halt,  after 
our  short  march,  to  enable  the  new  Divisions  to  come 
up.  We  are  now  about  twelve  miles  from  Mexico,  and 
may  have  something  to  do  to-morrow.  Good-night. 

TETE  DE  PONT,  THREE  AND  ONE  HALF  MILES  FROM 
MEXICO. 

August  24,  1847. 

The  last  great  battle  has,  I  hope,  been  fought  in 
this  ill  fated  Country.  Our  Army  is  now  quietly  await 
ing  the  result  of  the  labors  of  the  Commissioners  who  are 
now  occupied  in  their  labors.  The  mail,  which  takes 
this,  will,  I  think,  give  the  news  of  what  they  accom 
plish.  I  am  so  far  from  Hd.  Qrs.,  about  five  miles,  that 
I  really  know  nothing  of  what  is  being  done  there; 
I  only  know  that  there  is  a  suspension  of  hostilities, 
and  that  the  Army  is  now  employed  in  securing  am 
munition  taken  in  large  quantities  from  the  enemy,  in 
attending  to  the  wounded,  and  in  preparations  for  any  , 
work  they  may  be  called  on  to  perform. 

First,  as  to  myself  —  you  will  be  as  deeply  mortified 
as  I  was,  at  learning  that  I  was  not  engaged  in  any  of 
the  series  of  actions  which  placed  us  in  our  present; 
victorious  positions. 

I  started  on  horseback  with  the  Compy.  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  2Oth,  having  been  seriously  indisposed  for 
several  days,  and  met  Dr.  Satterlee,  who  told  me  that 
I  could  not  go,  that  the  road  leading  to  the  position  we 
were  to  occupy  was  impassable  for  horses,  and  it  was 
nonsense  for  me  to  think  of  attempting  to  go  on  foot. 


292          An  Artillery  Officer 

I  told  him  how  great  my  anxiety  was  to  be  in  the  fight ; 
he  said  that  he  did  not  think  we  would  have  a  fight, 
that  we  were  to  be  placed  in  position  to  await  events.  I 
then  remarked  that  I  would  see  Dr.  Holden.  He  agreed 
with  me  that  I  might  attempt  to  go  on.  We  advanced 
about  a  mile  or  two,  when  Dr.  Holden  came  up,  and 
told  me  that  Dr.  Satterlee  told  him  that  he  ought 
to  order  me  back,  that  I  could  not  go  on  with  the 
troops. 

Feeling  very  badly,  and  hoping  that  there  would  be 
no  fight,  thus  was  I  compelled  to  separate  myself 
from  the  Regt.  I  halted,  taking  my  faithful  man  Derr 
with  me  to  San  Antonio,  the  Genl.  Hd.  Qrs.,  and  threw 
myself  on  my  friend  Capt.  Irvin's  bed,  feeling  wretch 
edly  enough.  My  kind  friends,  Drs.  Harney  and 
Lawson,  soon  came  to  see  me  and  to  have  my  wants 
supplied. 

At  night,  Genl.  Scott  and  his  Staff  returned,  from 
whom  I  learned  the  brilliant  events  of  the  day's  work. 
Genl.  Scott  was  in  fine  spirits,  and  I  congratulated  him 
from  the  bottom  of  my  heart.  He  was  for  a  little  time 
much  affected,  and  spoke  in  most  affectionate  terms  of 
Father.  He  makes  me  take  my  meals  and  a  cot  in 
his  room.  The  next  day,  finding  that  my  Regt.  was  to 
advance  with  the  rest  of  the  Army,  and  almost  hoping 
that  there  would  be  another  battle,  I  determined  at  all 
risks  to  join  my  Compy.  and — me  void,  I  hope  with  a 
heart  ready  for  any  service,  but  much  chastened  by 
the  accounts  received  of  the  suffering  of  the  dying  and 
wounded  on  the  battlefield,  and  of  those  who  have 
since  been  placed  under  the  knives  of  the  surgeons. 

The  newspapers  will  give  you  fuller  and  better  ac 
counts  than  I  can,  but  I  will  give  you  an  imperfect 
sketch.  The  Army  left  Puebla  in  successive  Divisions 


In  Mexico  293 

on  the  7th,  8th,  Qth,  and  loth  days  of  this  month,  was 
placed  in  quarters  and  in  bivouacs  on  the  plain  of  Mex 
ico  on  the  1 4th  inst.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  I3th,  Lt. 
S.  Hamilton,  aid-de-camp  to  Genl.  Scott,  was  lanced 
near  Chalco,  the  then  position  of  the  1st  Division. 

The  2nd  Division  was  on  the  main  road  leading  to 
Mexico,  which  the  Engineers  had  been  reconnoitring. 
Genl.  Scott,  after  full  reconnoissances,  determined  to 
approach  the  City  by  the  road  leading  along  Lakes 
Chalco  and  Xochimilco,  and  the  ist  Division  leading  the 
advance  started  from  Chalco  on  Sunday  afternoon, 
1 5th  inst. 

By  short  marches,  we  approached,  seeing  nothing 
of  the  enemy  till  the  morning  of  the  I7th  when  he 
shewed  himself  in  small  parties  along  the  eminences 
skirting  the  road;  from  these  positions  he  was  soon 
driven  by  our  skirmishers.  One  man  of  our  Division 
was  wounded.  We  halted  that  night  in  San  Augustin. 

Early  the  next  morning,  1 8th,  a  field  work  having 
been  discovered  on  the  road  to  Mexico,  we  were  ordered 
forward,  our  Brigade  leading,  all  expecting  and  anxious 
for  a  fight.  We  advanced,  say  a  mile,  when  we  were 
halted,  and  had  been  there  about  half  an  hour  when 
we  heard  that  Capt.  Thornton,  2nd  Dragoons,  had 
been  killed  while  covering  a  party  of  our  Engineers 
reconnoitring  the  work  we  expected  to  take,  San 
Antonio. 

A  diagonal  movement,  across  a  field  towards  a  haci 
enda  on  the  right,  showed  the  knowing  ones  that  the 
work  was  not  then  to  be  attacked  in  front.  The  Divi 
sion  was  kept  under  arms,  and  parties  of  Engineers 
despatched  in  various  directions,  to  ascertain  if  the 
work  could  not  be  turned.  The  reports  were  not  made 
till  night,  when  it  was  found  that  the  work  was  too 


294          An  Artillery  Officer 

strong  for  a  front  attack,  but  that  there  was  a  trail 
which  might  be  rendered  practicable  for  Infy.  leading 
to  its  flank. 

Our  troops  remained  on  wet  ground  and  under  a 
succession  of  heavy  showers  of  rain  during  most  of 
this  day.  We  bivouacked  at  night  in  the  hacienda. 
The  next  day,  iQth,  the  army  awaited  the  arrival  of 
the  Divisions  of  Twiggs  and  Quitman,  reported  near, 
and  the  further  reconnoissances  of  our  Engineers. 

Towards  afternoon,  Pillow  was  ordered  to  cover  a 
road-making  party,  engaged  in  opening  a  road  leading 
farther  to  the  left  than  the  one  we  were  on.  A  fire 
was  soon  opened  on  this  party,  from  a  strong  field-work, 
contraries,  occupied  by  the  enemy.  It  was  actively 
sustained  till  night  without  any  result.  Early  the 
morning  of  the  2Oth  this  work  was  carried  by  Genl. 
P.  Smith  (Rifles)  and  our  gallant  friend  Col.  Riley. 

This  attack  not  having  been  made  at  as  early  an 
hour  as  was  anticipated,  our  Brigade  was  ordered  to  the 
support  of  the  troops  designated  for  the  attack.  On 
our  approach,  the  firing  had  already  ceased,  the  work 
having  been  taken.  I  was  ordered  back. 

The  Brigade  soon  received  orders  to  countermarch, 
and  advancing  rapidly  up  the  road,  from  which  we 
had  turned  off  on  the  i8th,  found  the  enemy,  having 
abandoned  their  work,  in  retreat.  Quick  pursuit  was 
given,  and  the  first  intimation  given  of  proximity  to 
another  work  was  the  reception  of  a  fire  of  grape  from 
its  guns.  The  Division  was  ordered  to  turn  into  a 
corn  field  on  the  right  of  the  road,  and  to  storm  the 
work. 

Our  Regt.,  the  storming  party  nearest  the  road,  ad 
vanced  under  a  galling  fire  of  grape  and  musketry,  to 
the  edge  of  the  corn  field,  when  the  number  of  men  in 


In  Mexico  295 

advance  was  deemed  entirely  inadequate  to  assault 
the  strong  field-work,  then  seen  about  100  yards  in 
front  of  them. 

It  had  two  four-pound  guns,  two  heavy  pieces,  one  an 
1 8  pounder,  and  its  parapets  lined  by  perhaps  2500  men. 
In  this  field,  and  near  the  edge  of  it,  our  loss  was  very 
severe.  "G"  Co.  lost  its  Orderly  Sergt.  Brown  (an 
invaluable  soldier,  who  received  two  mortal  wounds) 
and  three  privates;  Porter,  the  Artificer,  slightly 
wounded,  and  seven  privates,  wounded,  none  I  hope 
severely.  My  loss  was  greater  in  proportion  to  my 
strength  than  either  of  the  other  Companies. 

Major  Wade  was  the  only  Officer  of  our  Regt. 
wounded,  a  ball  passed  through  the  fleshy  part  of  his 
leg — the  calf.  We  have  to  mourn  the  death  of  many 
brave  friends;  Captains  Capron  and  Burke  (of  Tampa 
Bay  Memory),  the  two  youngest  Capts.  in  the  1st  Arty., 
were  shot  dead.  In  this,  I  hear  I  was  misinformed; 
Capt.  C.  lived  about  half  an  hour.  Capt.  B.  was  first 
shot  through  the  hand,  fainted,  and  as  he  was  being 
borne  off  the  field,  was  killed  by  another  ball.  Poor 
Mrs.  Capron  and  her  children,  it  makes  my  heart  bleed 
to  think  of  them.  Capt.  P.  Butler,  S.  C.,  fell  at  the 
head  of  his  Regt.  which  had  faltered  under  a  deadly 
fire.  Capt.  W.  Anderson,  2nd.  Infy.,  was  mortally 
wounded. 

I  have  not  time  to  mention  the  gallant  actions  fought 
by  the  other  Divisions.  Four  distinct  and  hard  con 
tested  works  were  carried  that  day.  In  the  work  taken 
by  our  Division,  and  in  which  in  the  morning  there 
were  5000  men,  I  am  now  writing.  It  is  the  strongest 
field  of  fortification  I  ever  saw. 

Col.  Butler  was  the  highest  officer  in  rank  who  fell. 
Col.  Ward  Burnett,  N.  Y.  Regt.,  was  wounded  Aug.  2Oth 


296  An  Artillery  Officer 

Col.  Burnett  had  the  lockjaw  for  two  weeks,  and 
is  now  out  on  his  crutches.  Capt.  P.  Kearney,  1st 
Dragoons,  lost  his  left  arm;  it  has  been  amputated 
above  the  shoulder. 

The  papers  will  give  exceedingly  interesting  and  full 
details  of  all  the  incidents  of  the  day.  For  ourselves, 
let  us  unite  in  thanks  to  our  Heavenly  Father  for  our 
preservation.  For  His  own  good  purpose  I  have  been 
thwarted  in  one  of  my  heartfelt  wishes.  He  knows 
best. 

I  must  now  send  this  to  Hd.  Qrs.  as  an  express  will 
certainly  be  despatched  the  moment  the  Commissioners 
report.  That  God  will  continue  to  guard  and  preserve 
you,  and  soon  restore  me  to  you,  is  my  sincere  prayer. 
Be  not  alarmed  about  me,  it  is  only  a  touch  of  the  old 
Florida  complaint,  produced  by  exposure  to  wet,  and 
sleeping  in  wet  clothes.  A  few  days'  rest  will  soon 
restore  me. 

TACUBAYA,  Friday,  Aug.  27th. 

This  poor  letter  was  sent  and  returned  with  a  state 
ment  that  there  was  no  mail,  and  that  it  was  uncertain 
when  one  would  be  sent.  I  shall,  however,  finish  it 
as  one  of  my  regular  series,  and  send  it  by  the  first 
opportunity. 

Lieut.  Johnson  of  our  Regt.  says  that  he  must  go 
to  the  United  States  with  the  first  escort.  On  the 
morning  of  the  25th  my  long  threatened  touch  of  fever 
and  chill  visited  me.  It  was  produced  undoubtedly 
by  the  dampness  of  the  position  in  which  we  were 
bivouacked.  Yesterday  morning,  we  were  marched  to 
this  place,  where,  having  a  comfortable  room,  I  shall 
get  well,  as  I  can  now  take  care  of  myself. 

Last  night  we  were  under  orders  to  be  prepared  with 


In  Mexico  297 

sixty  rounds  of  cartridges  for  a  night  attack,  but  the 
storm  blew  over.  It  is  said  to  have  been  caused  by 
the  conduct  of  the  Mexicans  in  not  permitting  our 
wagons  to  enter  the  City  for  supplies,  as  agreed  upon 
by  the  terms  of  the  Armistice.  Just  as  night  ap 
proached,  however,  Genl.  Santa  Anna  sent  a  communi 
cation  to  Genl.  S.  that  Commissioners  had  been 
appointed  who  would  meet  Mr.  Trist  this  day.  The 
meeting,  I  presume,  took  place,  as  Mr.  Trist  passed 
out  of  town  with  an  Escort  about  the  appointed 
time. 

So  I  hope  the  good  work  of  peace-making  has  been 
commenced.  'T  is  reported  that  our  wagoners  were 
fired  upon  to-day  and  that  Santa  Anna's  troops  fired 
at  the  mob  who  did  it.  They  appear  sore  under  the 
gentle  thrashing  they  have  received  and  have  not  per 
haps  had  enough  to  keep  them  quiet. 

Lt.  Judd,  who  has  improved  very  much  since  I 
last  mentioned  him,  informs  me  that  Genl.  Quitman 
intends  returning  to  the  United  States.  He  came 
out  not  to  make  political  capital,  but  to  fight,  and 
is,  I  presume,  disheartened  at  not  being  engaged 
in  the  last  battles.  He  is,  perhaps,  the  best  of  the 
appointments,  and  I  shall  regret  his  leaving  us;  he 
is  a  gentleman;  his  successor  may,  by  accident,  be 
one. 

Poor  Lt.  Irvin,  shot  through  the  neck,  just  in  front 
of  the  jugular  vein,  is,  I  fear,  too  badly  wounded  to 
recover.  Of  the  Armistice  I  say  nothing  special,  as 
the  newspapers  will  present  you  with  a  copy,  perhaps, 
some  time  before  you  receive  this,  as  I  do  not  doubt 
that  Mr.  Kendall  sent  some  days  ago  his  report  of  the 
battle,  and  as  soon  as  concluded,  a  copy  of  the  Articles 
of  the  Armistice. 


298          An  Artillery  Officer 

If  report  be  true,  and  in  this  case  I  cannot  doubt  it, 
the  3rd  Arty,  has  been  cruelly  treated  by  Genl.  Worth 
and  Col.  Garland.  Col.  Belton  gave  a  full  report, 
giving  in  detail  all  the  operations  of  the  2Oth  as  far 
as  the  3rd  was  an  actor,  and  spoke  in  high  terms  of 
the  conduct  of  some,  perhaps  all  the  Officers;  this 
report  was  returned,  with  instructions. 

Col.  G.  stated  from  Genl.  W.  that  aU  should  be 
omitted  but  the  simple  fact  that  at  such  an  hour  the 
Regt.  entered  the  field-work,  and  't  is  said  that  no 
mention  is  made  of  an  Officer  of  the  3rd,  that  its  Com 
mander  even  is  not  named. x  'T  is  too  strange,  almost, 
to  be  true. 

Col.  B.  is  very  blamable  for  altering  his  report,  if 
he  did  so,  to  suit  the  fancy  or  whim  of  his  superior. 
He  is,  however,  Commissioner  to  see  the  terms  of  the 
Armistice  complied  with,  and  cares  very  little  for  the 
Regiment. 

The  order  given  to  the  Regt.  on  that  day  to  storm  a 
work  which  had  not  been  reconnoitred,  can  hardly 
be  sustained  before  military  men,  and  caused  the  loss 
of  many  of  our  best  soldiers.  Alas,  alas,  what  is  fame, 
what  is  glory?  'Tis  but  the  soldier 's  dream.  It  haunts 
him  in  his  slumbers,  and  shortens  the  long  weary  night 
with  its  pleasing  apparition,  but  after  passing  through 
the  maddening  excitement  of  the  morrow's  battle,  all 
his  hopes  are  crushed  by  the  envy,  prejudice,  or  folly 
of  those  whose  duty  it  is  to  protect  and  advance  him, 
and  he  finds  a  Staff  Officer  who  did  literally  nothing 
praised  for  high  gallantry. 

I  think  I  had  better  lay  down  my  pen  for  to-night 
as  I  cannot  now  write  with  patience  on  the  subject  I 

1  Capt.  Anderson  was,  be  it  remembered,  not  in  this  battle,  or  these 
remarks  would  not  have  been  made. 


In  Mexico  299 

have    touched.     Making   a   few   remarks   about   the 
wounded,  I  will  close  for  the  night. 

Lt.  Hamilton  is  doing  very  well.  Major  Wade  is 
also  rapidly  improving;  in  ten  days  more,  I  hope  he 
will  be  walking  about.  Lt.  Kearney  is  also  doing  as 
well  as  could  be  hoped  for.  And  now,  my  wife,  accept 
my  best  .prayers  and  wishes  that  we  may  soon  meet, 
not  to  be  again  separated  till  the  great  summons  calls 
us,  after  a  happy  and  contented  life  here,  to  a  better 
existence  in  Heaven. 

28th.  I  have  just  learned  that  the  courier  of  the 
British  Minister  will  take  this,  and  hasten  to  enclose  it. 

No.  19.    TACUBAYA,  MEXICO. 

August  28,  1847. 

I  hastily  finished  and  attempted  to  despatch  by  the 
messenger  of  the  British  Minister,  who  leaves  to-morrow 
morning,  a  supplement  to  No.  18,  but  I  fear  that  the 
letter  was  sent  too  late,  as  I  hear  that  the  packages 
were  made  up  this  morning,  before  I  learned  that  he 
would  take  letters  for  our  officers.  This  mischance,  if  it 
prove  one,  I  shall  regret  most  deeply,  as  I  am  certain 
that  many  of  my  friends  will  mourn  my  death  instead 
of  Capt.  J.  W.  Anderson,  2nd  Infy.  You  will  see  the 
name  correctly  reported  in  the  Picayune,  as  I  requested 
Mr.  Kendall  to  be  particular  in  his  report. 

Poor  Lt.  Irvin,  whose  case  was  mentioned  in  my  last 
letter,  died  yesterday  and  was  buried  to-day.  He  was 
a  fine  gallant  soldier.  Major  Wade  and  Capt.  Kearney, 
both  of  whom  I  saw  to-day,  are  doing  well.  Our  loss 
in  the  actions  of  the  2Oth  collectively,  called  the  Battle 
of  Mexico,  as  it  extended  to  the  gates  of  the  City 
(Capt.  Kearney  being  shot  when  fifty  or  seventy  yards 


300          An  Artillery  Officer 

from  its  wall),  amounts  in  killed  and  wounded  to  1052, 
(I  think  exactly)  nearly  one  seventh  of  those  engaged, 
as  I  do  not  suppose  that  there  were  as  many  as  8000 
in  the  fight. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  must  exceed  5000,  as  the 
ground  was  in  places  thickly  strewn  with  their  dead 
and  wounded  men.  What  a  sacrifice  of  life!  God 
grant  that  Victory  may  be  crowned  with  Peace.  We 
cannot  stand  many  such  victories. 

The  impression  in  high  quarters  is,  that  a  treaty 
will  be  concluded,  and  then  for  home,  never,  no  never, 
to  leave  my  beloved  land  to  fight  again  in  foreign 
lands. 

Our  soldiers  and  Army  followers  are  behaving  badly, 
robbing  and  insulting  the  Mexicans;  this  has  caused 
the  assembling  of  a  Milty.  Commission,  of  which  I  am 
Judge  Advocate,  which  is  to  meet  from  time  to  time 
as  cases  may  occur. 

No  attention  is  given  to  the  fact  of  my  having  been 
Recorder  to  the  Court  of  Inquiry,  which  closed  its 
proceedings  in  Capt.  Riley's  case  just  before  we  left 
Puebla.  Genl.  Worth  said  he  wanted  me,  and  presto, 
detail  was  overlooked,  and  out  came  the  order.  So  long 
as  there  is  a  hope  of  our  having  peace  and  being  per 
mitted  soon  to  return  home,  I  am  willing  to  do,  double, 
all  duty.  Home,  how  simple  the  word,  and  yet  how 
much  does  it  carry  to,  or  excite  in,  the  heart  of  one  who, 
for  long  and  tedious  months,  has  thought  years  might 
elapse  ere  he  could  see  his  home.  God  grant  that  this 
may  prove  no  fond  dream,  but  a  sweet  reality.  I  do 
not  permit  myself,  even  now,  to  indulge  too  sanguinely 
in  the  hope  that  peace  may  be  made,  as  some  contre 
temps,  the  folly  and  obstinacy  of  the  Mexican  Con 
gress,  an  outbreak  in  the  City — something  may  happen 


In  Mexico  301 

which  would  break  off  negotiations  and  plunge  us  again 
into  uncertainty,  and  active,  bloody  war.  Mexico 
is  at  our  mercy,  and  falls  into  our  hands  soon  after  the 
firing  of  the  first  gun,  and  woe,  woe  to  the  City  if  our 
Army  enter  it,  after  a  bloody  resistance.  I  dare  not 
think  of  it.  The  sight  of  a  sacked  City  either  maddens 
the  brain,  or  breaks  the  heart  of  a  sensitive  person. 
Enough  for  to-night.  God  keep  me  from  ever  wit 
nessing,  or  being  an  actor  in  such  scenes. 

Sunday,  August  29th. 

Our  Commission  met  this  morning  in  compliance  with 
our  order,  but  adjourned  over  till  to-morrow  morning, 
when  we  meet  in  the  Cortina  Palace.  In  Madame 
Calderon's  pleasant  book  on  Mexico,  you  may  remem 
ber  her  speaking  of  this  family,  this  house  and  its  fine 
collection  of  paintings.  I  shall  take  occasion  to  examine 
the  paintings.  As  yet,  though  I  have  seen  some  thou 
sands  of  paintings  in  the  Churches  in  this  Country,  I 
have  not  seen  one  that  I  would  call  a  great  work.  I 
am  anxious  to  visit  the  City,  where  I  presume  some  of 
the  best  paintings  may  be  seen. 

I  have  not  heard  what  progress  Mr.  Trist  is  making 
in  his  treaty-making,  but  was  told  by  Capt.  Scott,  of 
the  General's  Staff,  this  morning  that  everything  was 
going  on  well. 

Whilst  impressions  are  fresh  on  my  mind,  I  may  as 
well  state  the  differences  I  observe  between  the  Mexicans 
this  side  the  mountains  and  those  at  Puebla.  The  race 
is  larger  than  those  I  saw  beyond  the  mountains.  Their 
features,  too,  differ  very  considerably; — the  face  is  per 
haps  longer,  with  higher  forehead,  and  cheek  bones  less 
projecting,  the  complexion  is  lighter. 

It  may  be  wrong  to  generalize  until  I  see  masses  in 


302  An  Artillery  Officer 

Mexico,  as  I  did  at  Puebla.  This  being  a  small  place, 
we  see  but  few ;  the  women  are  not  handsome,  perhaps 
better  looking  than  the  Pueblans.  Less  use  is  made 
of  earthen  ware  than  at  Puebla;  here,  copper  vessels 
tinned  are  apparently  in  quite  general  use  in  the 
kitchens.' 

The  water-carriers  do  not  use  the  Egyptian  vessels 
I  attempted  to  describe  in  one  of  my  letters,  but  one 
of  a  pitcher-like  form,  with  one  handle — two  are  sus 
pended  from  the  end  of  a  stick,  which  is  supported  on 
the  shoulders. *  If  these  pitchers  do  not  balance  well, 
't  is  because  I  am  not  accustomed  to  carrying  them, 
because  that  is  the  way;  they  are  frequently  steadied 
by  the  hands  being  placed  against  the  handles,  that 
you  may  imagine. 

Whether  the  descendants  of  the  Aztecs  are  as  re 
markable  for  their  sobriety  as  are  their  transmontane 
brothers,  I  am  not  prepared  to  say. 

In  our  market  here  we  have  oranges,  pineapples, 
bananas,  limes,  pears,  apples,  and  peaches.  The  vege 
tables  are  the  same  I  have  mentioned  as  being  in  the 
Puebla  market.  I  purchased  a  fine  head  of  cauliflower 
this  morning. 

The  scamps  have  raised  the  prices  on  us;  in  small 
places  they  always  do — in  Mexico  we  could  purchase 
marketing  much  cheaper.  I  did  not  mention  that  at 
Chalco  we  had  the  guava  in  market  and  in  Puebla,  just 
before  we  left,  I  saw  a  few  beets. 

Monday,  August  3Oth. 

This  has  been  quite  a  busy  day;  the  trial  before 
our  Commission  and  bringing  up  our  proceedings 
engaged  me  till  nearly  dark,  and  then,  in  consequence 

1 A  sketch  was  enclosed  in  letter. 


In  Mexico  303 

of  Sergt.  Brown's  death,  as  there  was  no  one  who 
understood  anything  about  the  papers  for  muster  to 
morrow,  I  was  compelled  to  take  hold  of  them. 

I  will  not  omit,  however,  having  a  chat  with  you, 
which  must  be  short,  as  I  have  to  prepare  a  charge 
against  a  man  whom  I  shall  take  before  the  Commis 
sion  for  trial  to-morrow. 

I  saw  Mr.  Trist,  this  morning;  he  appears  to  be  in 
very  good  spirits  in  relation  to  his  duties  and  progress 
in  them.  Herrara,  the  head  of  the  Mexican  Commis 
sioners,  formerly  President  for  a  short  period,  is  con 
sidered  the  most  honest  and  honorable  of  their  public 
men.  His  being  on  the  Commission  augurs  well,  I 
think.  There  may  be  some  shuffling  in  the  Congress, 
which  may  prevent  its  ratification.  Nous  verrons. 

The  view  from  the  highest  point  of  this  City  is. 
magnificent :  the  great  City  of  Mexico,  with  Ft.  Chapul- 
tepec  in  the  foreground,  on  the  left  of  the  picture,  and 
beyond  and  around  the  City,  a  highly  cultivated  plain 
interspersed  with  lake  and  mountain,  or  intersected 
by  turbulent  little  mountain  rivers;  the  whole  sur 
rounded  by  mountains,  among  which,  in  fair  weather, 
we  still  see  our  old  friends,  Popocatepetl  andlztaccihuatl, 
presents  a  view  well  worthy  of  the  artist's  pencil. 

In  the  plain,  among  other  trees,  we  see  lines  or 
avenues  of  trees  resembling  somewhat  our  Lombardy 
poplars,  but  which,  whether  from  the  vastness  of  the 
plain  or  the  background  of  lofty  mountains,  are, 
however,  unlike  the  barrenness  of  our  broomstick  tree, 
and  really  produce  a  pleasing  effect  in  the  landscape. 
Good-night. 

Tuesday,  August  3ist. 
The  last  day  of  this  year's  summer  has  gone — will 


3°4  An  Artillery  Officer 

the  ensuing  fall  months  be  more  quiet  than,  or  as  tur 
bulent  as,  those  that  have  just  passed  away,  or  will 
they  return  me  to  my  beloved  family?  Would  that 
I  could  command  an  affirmative  answer  to  the  latter 
query.  All  at  Hd.  Qrs.  seem  to  think  that  the  last 
battle  has  been  fought.  I  hope  that  they  may  not  be 
deceived.  From  our  Court-room,  I  stole  off  for  a  few 
minutes  to  see  some  of  the  pictures  in  the  Palace.  I 
only  examined  rapidly  a  few  that  are  in  a  bedroom. 
One,  a  very  sweet  face,  is  a  young  lady  asleep — modern, 
but  very  prettily  colored.  An  old  painting  comes  next, 
representing  a  Spanish  lady,  of  the  age  perhaps  of 
Isabella,  very  well  executed,  a  valuable  painting. 
The  remarkably  fine  large  head  in  front  of  you  as  you 
turn  your  back  to  the  light,  is  modern;  the  keys  in  his 
hand  designate  St.  Peter.  This  is  a  good  picture,  but 
does  not  present  to  my  mind  the  characteristic  expres 
sion  of  the  features  of  the  great  Apostle. 

But  your  eye,  I  see,  wanders  to,  and  is  now  fixed 
admiringly  upon,  that  sweet  picture  in  the  corner  on 
your  left.  It  is  a  lovable  picture,  modern,  but  charm 
ing.  A  young  mother  kissing  and  oh,  so  sweetly 
kissed  by  her  infant.  'T  is  the  waking  morning  kiss. 
The  mother  is  partially  raised  in  bed,  and  holds  her 
child,  who  has  just  waked,  in  her  arms.  (I  correct 
here,  the  mother,  in  her  night-dress,  leans  over  her 
infant,  as  if  raising  her  from  her  crib.)  The  little  hand 
which  seeks  for  the  fountain  of  nourishment,  shews 
that  the  little  angel  thinks  of  something  besides  the 
loving  kiss  she  takes  and  gives.  How  I  wish  you 
could  see  this  picture.  There  are  many  others  in  the 
house,  but  this  is,  I  fancy,  to  be  my  favorite.  If  I 
can  get  a  good  daguerreotypist  here,  I  will  endeavor 
to  bring  you  a  view  of  this  charming  work.  Both 


In  Mexico  305 

faces  are  beautiful;  easy  and  graceful  is  every  attitude 
of  each. 

I  find  that  I  did  an  injustice  to  Genl.  Worth  in  my 
remark  about  the  returning  of  Col.  Belton's  report, — 
he  only  wished  Col.  Belton  to  omit  the  tactical  part 
of  the  report,  and  desired  him  to  mention  all  Officers 
who  had  particularly  distinguished  themselves.  Col. 
B.  got  in  a  pet,  and  struck  out  all  mention  of  the 
Officers. 

September  8th. 

Though  I  am  now  engaged  on  another  sheet  to  com 
plete  No.  19,  I  will  send  this  as  it  is,  reserving  the 
other  part  for  another  opportunity.  Yesterday,  I 
sent  a  letter  by  Mr.  Kendall's  express.  I  have  this 
morning  heard  that  Genl.  Quitman  and  Lt.  Welsh  are 
to  leave  to-morrow  morning  for  the  United  States  and 
have  determined  to  trust  my  budget  to  them.  The 
chances  are  that  they  will  go  safely  through — I  pray 
to  God  that  they  may — for  their  lives  are  of  value  to 
our  Country.  I  must  now  close,  as  't  is  time  to  send 
the  messenger  off.  Nos.  14  to  19  inclusive  are  sent 
in  three  packages. 

Sunday,  September  26th. 
I  close  this  to  send  by  the  Minister's  Express. 

Wednesday,  September  ist. 

I  am  so  completely  wearied  with  my  day's  writing 
(as  Judge  Advocate  of  a  Military  Commission)  that  I 
can  only  give  you  my  blessing,  and  say  good-night. 

Thursday,  September  2nd. 
The  Commission,  fortunately  for  me,  adjourned  this 


306         An  Artillery  Officer 

morning,  to  give  the  prisoner,  a  Mexican,  time  to  get 
his  witnesses.  I  have  thus  had  a  day  of  rest,  and  am, 
thank  God,  quite  fresh  again.  Cases  multiply  in 
about  the  proportion  of  those  we  try,  so  that  we  have 
a  prospect  of  having  occupation  as  long  as  we  remain. 
Indeed,  Genl.  Worth  told  me  that  he  intended  keeping 
us  as  a  permanent  Court.  One  advantage  may  be 
derived  from  my  being  on  this  duty,  as  it  will  prevent 
my  being  put  on  other  duty  which  would  expose  me 
to  the  changes  of  weather,  the  very  thing  now  to  be 
avoided. 

I  was  so  much  fatigued  yesterday,  that  I  did  not 
mention  my  morning's  visit  to  Count  Cortina's  picture 
rooms;  there  are  six,  I  think.  It  is  the  most  valuable 
collection  I  ever  saw.  I  was  disappointed  in  two  which 
were  called  Murillo's:  two  mothers  with  infants;  they 
did  not  strike  me  as  very  remarkable.  There  are 
several  in  the  collection,  by  painters  unknown,  I  pre 
fer  to  these  two.  The  subjects  are  so  numerous  that 
I  cannot  attempt  naming  them,  much  less  to  describe 
what  I  think  are  their  beauties.  I  passed  rapidly,  too 
rapidly,  through  the  rooms,  knowing  that  I  had  a 
great  deal  of  writing  to  be  finished  by  nine  this  morning. 
And  again,  I  hope  to  enjoy  again  and  again,  the  pleasure 
of  entering  those  rooms.  I  went  again  to  see  the  mother 
and  infant;  as  a  work  of  art,  it  has  superiors  in  the 
collection,  but  not  one  seemed  to  me  so  sweet,  so  lovely. 
There  is  a  playful,  roguish  archness  in  the  darling,  as 
it  steals  to  uncover  the  mother's  breast,  inexpressibly 
sweet.  The  Count  is  said  to  be  the  richest  man  in 
Mexico;  his  heirs  would  not  miss  the  picture,  were  he 
to  give  it  to  me. 

At  the  General's  Quarters  this  morning,  I  again  heard 
that  Mr.  Trist  was  in  fine  spirits  as  to  his  prospects.  I 


In  Mexico  307 

hope  that  he  is  not  a  sanguine  man.  I  wrote  hastily  to 
you  this  afternoon,  the  letter  to  go  by  Mr.  Kendall's 
express.  I  am  anxious  that  you  should  receive  it,  or 
the  one  sent  on  the  2Qth  ult.  May  you  get  one  or 
both,  as  your  mind  will  then  be  relieved. 

September  3rd. 

I  was  about  taking  my  seat  at  my  table,  after  dinner 
to-day,  to  bring  up  my  day's  proceedings,  when  Lt. 
Andrews  came  in,  and  said  that  Genl.  Quitman  and  Lt. 
Welch,  were  to  start  to-morrow  morning  for  the  United 
States,  and  that  if  I  would  get  my  letters  ready  in  fifteen 
or  twenty  minutes,  he  would  send  them  down.  Busi 
ness  was  readily  laid  aside,  and  all  my  old  talks,  from 
No.  14  to  19  inclusive,  were  folded,  sealed  and  directed 
by  the  time  appointed.  I  had  barely  time  to  add  a 
few  lines  to  the  first  part  of  this  No.  19.  To  Mother, 
I  was  very  anxious  to  write,  but  the  notice  was  too 
short.  I  hear  since  our  letters  were  sent,  that  Genl. 
Quitman  will  not  leave  to-morrow ;  if  so,  I  may  still  add 
another  letter  to  your  already  large  stock,  and  also 
write  one  to  my  Mother.  This  has  been  a  very  busy 
day  with  me,  and  as  it  is  now  late,  and  I  feel  much 
exhausted,  I  must  to  bed,  and  now  good-night. 

Saturday,  September  4th. 

Our  Commission,  like  a  Christian,  a  reasonable  body 
of  men,  adjourned  over  till  Monday,  so  that  to-morrow 
I  shall  be  necessarily  engaged  only  a  small  part  of  the 
day.  I  have  just  returned  from  Genl.  Scott,  with 
whom  I  dined.  He  shewed  me  his  report;  it  is  long, 
but  will  be  read  with  great  interest  by  all  Americans, 
as  he  gives  a  clear  and  vivid  sketch  of  the  events  of 
the  20th. 


308  An  Artillery  Officer 

My  poor  Regiment  is  not,  I  think,  named  in  the 
Report,  not  that  it  did  not  perform  its  duty,  but  be 
cause  it  performed  no  brilliant  achievement ;  it  was  not 
the  foremost  in  entering  field-work  before  which  so 
many  of  our  brave  men  fell.  I  should  have  been 
mortified  to  death  had  I  been  with  the  Regt.  and  could 
not  have  carved  some  bauble  of  honor.  They  may  be 
baubles,  but  they  are  welcome,  and,  generally,  dearly 
bought  prizes  to  us.  And  though  no  one  knows  more 
truly  than  the  soldier  how  many  blanks  there  are  in 
the  wheel  of  Fortune,  to  one  prize,  still,  like  the  gam 
bler,  he  ventures  o'er  and  o'er,  even  health  and  life 
itself,  to  win  that  prize. 

The  commencement  and  some  of  the  concluding 
paragraphs  of  the  General's  report  (that  of  the  2Oth) 
are  beautifully  and  forcibly  worded.  The  sub-reports  I 
have  not  read,  but  I  have  no  doubt  that  every  one  who 
made  a  report  looked  more  particularly  to  elevating 
self  on  the  ladder,  than  to  doing  justice  to  those  who  were 
under  his  command. 

Genl.  Shields  and  Genl.  P.  Smith  distinguished 
themselves  greatly  on  that  day.  Genl.  Smith  stands 
as  high  with  the  Army  for  good  sense  and  military 
qualifications  as  perhaps  any  man  of  his  rank  with  us. 
Mr.  Trist,  who  lives  with  the  Genl.,  appeared  in  good 
spirits  to-day.  I  asked  him,  however,  no  questions 
about  his  duties,  or  what  I  so  much  desire  to  know, 
what  he  thinks  of  the  prospects  of  peace.  This  state 
of  uncertainty  must  ere  long  come  to  an  end,  as  the 
points  in  dispute  cannot  certainly  occupy  reasonable 
men  longer  than  a  couple  of  weeks  more — and  that 
time,  to  regard  it  as  intervening  between  this  period 
and  that  when  we  may  know  when  we  are  to  go  home, 
appears  an  age.  Good-night. 


In  Mexico  309 

Sunday,  September  5th. 

I  feel  so  wretchedly,  to-night,  that  were  it  not  Sun 
day  I  do  not  think  that  I  could  say  even  a  few  words 
to  you.  We  fancy  that  very  important  and  interesting 
events  are  taking  place  in  the  City  to-day.  Heavy 
firing  we  think  we  heard,  and  continued,  too,  for  some 
time.  If  this  be  so,  Santa  Anna  must  have  been  en 
gaged  in  quelling  some  pronunciamiento.  He  is  so 
shrewd  that  it  is  probable  that  he  foresaw  and  was 
prepared.  In  that  case  if  his  Army  prove  faithful,  he 
will  place  himself  more  firmly  in  power,  in  consequence 
of  the  riot.  If  his  Army  participated  in  the  disaffection, 
he  will  certainly  be  hurled  from  his  high,  but  usurped, 
position.  To-morrow  we  shall  know  whether  our 
speculations  and  imaginations  are  true  or  not,  and  I 
hope  that  I  shall  then  feel  well  enough  to  write  to  you. 
May  God  keep  you  both  in  health  and  happiness. 

Monday,  September  6th. 

Only  a  word  or  two  to-night.  For  really  I  am  so 
much  out  of  spirits  at  this  continuance  of  my  indispo 
sition,  at  the  very  time  I  may  desire  to  have  all  my 
energies.  The  Mexicans  are  acting  in  bad  faith  to 
day,  and  I  learn  that  Genl.  Scott  has  sent  word  to 
Santa  Anna  that  unless  an  apology  be  sent  to-morrow 
for  the  violation  of  the  truce  to-day,  our  batteries  will 
open  to-morrow  at  12  M. 

The  troops  in  Ft.  Chapultepec  have  been  seen  at 
work  at  its  defences  to-day,  in  clear  violation  of  the 
Articles  of  the  truce.  All  of  our  wounded  and  sick  are 
now  being  moved  to  what  is  called  the  Palace,  a  building 
belonging,  I  think,  to  Genl.  Santa  Anna. 

Chill  and  fever  again  this  morning!  Is  this  not  too 
hard?  I  take  a  dose  to-night  which  will,  I  hope,  get 


3io          An  Artillery  Officer 

everything  right  by  Wednesday,  and  we  shall  scarcely 
have  any  heavy  work  before  that  day.  Our  troops  lie, 
to-night,  ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  warning.  I  must 
be  in  the  next  fight. 

Tuesday,  September  7th,  three  P.M. 

We  have  been  ready  for  the  last  three  hours  to  move 
at  a  moment's  warning.  The  truce  was  broken  yester 
day,  by  the  Mexicans,  and  this  morning,  Genl.  Santa 
Anna,  I  hear,  wrote  and  sent  a  very  impertinent 
" buncombe"  letter  to  the  Genl.  Their  troops,  at  all 
events,  commenced  moving  out  of  the  City  early  this 
morning,  and  are  now  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  with 
their  left  resting  on  Ft.  Chapultepec.  Genl.  Scott  and 
Staff  are  engaged  in  reconnoitring  his  position,  so  that  not 
many  hours  can  elapse  before  we  have  another  battle. 

What  Santa  Anna  expects  to  gain  by  the  great  loss 
of  blood  which  must  flow  in  such  an  event,  I  cannot 
conceive,  unless  it  be  that  the  numbers  of  the  Mexicans 
are  so  greatly  over  the  handful  of  men  our  Govt.  has 
sent  here  as  its  Army,  that  he  can  well  give  us  a  few 
battles,  five  to  one,  and  knows  that  in  this  way  we 
must  soon  be  annihilated. 

So  constantly  has  victory  perched  on  our  banners 
under  every  disadvantage  and  with  every  odds  against 
us,  that  we  may  well  hope  and  believe  that  God  is 
fighting  our  battles  with  us,  or  rather  for  us. 

Whilst  midway  of  the  last  sentence,  we  were  called 
out  by  the  cry  that  "the  Mexicans  are  coming,"  but 
soon  finding  that  it  was  a  false  alarm,  we  returned  to 
our  quarters.  I  begin  now  to  doubt  whether  we  will 
have  a  fight  to-night,  or  not.  Perhaps  we  may  make 
a  night  attack,  perhaps  the  battle  will  be  fought  to 
morrow. 


_l    M 

o  .S 


gl 

O 
0) 


In  Mexico  -;3« 

Should  God  spare  my  life,  I  will  resume  this  letter 
the  earliest  moment  after  victory.  That  He  may  con 
tinue  to  guard  and  guide  you  in  your  path  to  Heaven  I 
humbly  pray. 

MEXICO,  September  22nd. 

This  day  two  weeks  ago  since  I  was  wounded.  Oh, 
how  devotedly  I  should  offer  thanks  to  our  Heavenly 
Father  for  His  preservation  of  my  life  on  that  dreadful 
day.  The  papers  will  give  you  full  details  of  our  losses 
in  killed  and  wounded.  I  will  now,  as  I  cannot  write 
much  at  a  time,  confine  my  remarks  to  what  will  be 
most  interesting  to  you. 

Leaving  our  Quarters  about  half -past  two  A.M.,  8th 
Sept.,  we,  after  being  kept  a  long  time  in  the  streets  of 
Tacubaya,  reached  our  position  in  front  of  the  building 
called  the  Foundry,  and  better  known  as  "El  Molino 
del  Rey,"  our  men  were  ordered  to  lie  down  on  the 
road,  so  as  to  conceal  themselves  from  the  observation 
of  the  troops  in  Ft.  Chapultepec."  We  remained  there 
until  a  few  discharges  had  been  made  by  our  Arty,  when, 
just  before  sunrise,  we  were  ordered  to  advance. 

The  firing  of  musketry  and  cannon  was  at  this  time 
very  severe  on  our  left.  We  approached  and  when 
within  about  two  hundred  yards  of  the  Foundry,  we 
were  received  with  an  awful  shower  of  grape  and 
musketry,  the  column  was  ordered  to  halt,  and  the 
men  ordered  to  shelter  themselves  against  the  wall  on 
our  right,  the  angle  here  making  a  shoulder  which 
partially  protected  our  troops. 

This  rough  sketch1  may  help  me  a  little.  The  line 
at  the  right  and  top,  marked  "a-a-a-"  is  where  the 
troops  took  shelter  from  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  who 

1  A  diagram  was  enclosed  in  letter. 


312          An  Artillery  Officer 

lined  the  housetop  in  every  part.  When  we  had  re 
mained  a  short  time  there,  two  of  Capt.  Drum's  guns 
were  unlimbered  and,  seeing  that  there  were  few  men 
at  the  first,  which  they  were  bringing  up  by  hand,  I, 
more  for  example's  sake  than  anything  else,  assisted 
at  it.  This  gun  was  placed  in  position,  and  commenced 
firing.  I  then  stepped  a  few  paces  back,  and  observing 
that  the  men  were  slow  in  bringing  the  other  gun  for 
ward,  I  took  hold  of  the  trail,  which  I  left  as  soon  as  it 
was  in  position,  and  when  I  saw  men  enough  at  it  to 
manage  it. 

I  then  hurried  towards  the  Regt.,  which  was  then 
some  paces  in  the  rear,  when  I  felt  a  severe  blow  against 
my  right  shoulder;  it  was  like  the  blow  from  the  ball 
in  a  leaded  cane; — I  supposed  that  it  was  a  spent  ball 
which  had  hit  me,  and  fallen  to  the  ground — another 
step  and  I  felt  a  tingling  pricking  sensation  in  my  left 
arm.  I,  without  raising  my  hand  or  giving  any  intima 
tion  of  being  wounded,  regained  my  Command,  and  on 
my  remarking  to  some  Officer  that  I  believed  I  had  been 
touched  by  a  spent  ball,  was  told  that  there  was  blood 
on  my  cloak.  In  a  few  minutes,  I  heard  some  one  call 
out,  "Come  on,  they  are  abandoning  their  battery." 
I  stepped  out  and  saw  Lt.  Prince,  4th  Infy.,  in  the  road, 
waving  his  hand  (the  4th  and  6th  Regts.  Infy.  were 
in  front  or  advance  of  us).  I  immediately  called  out 
"Forward  3rd  Arty.,"  and  rushed  forward.  Lt.  Prince 
was  shot  down  while  he  was  calling  out.  I  found  myself 
under  the  enclosure  of  the  Foundry,  the  enemy  still 
lining  its  walls. 

My  wound  giving  me  much  pain,  had  now  rendered 
me  a  little  less  vigorous  than  I  was,  and  I  was  joined 
by  Lt.  Andrews  and  Capt.  Ayres  and  went  forward. 
Mr.  Andrews  begged  me  to  send  for  more  men,  as  the 


In  Mexico  313 

Mexicans  were  in  too  great  force  for  us  to  enter  the 
passageway  marked  (X),  the  enemy  being  in  consider 
able  numbers  in  the  enclosure  (d)  and  on  the  walls 
around  it.  Getting  a  half  dozen  men  more,  I  went 
forward  and  entered  the  enclosure  under  a  pretty 
galling  fire.  As  I  passed  through  the  passageway,  a 
ball  grazed  my  right  leg,  grazing  the  bone  outside 
about  three  inches  below  the  knee. 

We  had  tolerably  warm  work  in  retaining  possession 
of  this  place,  and  in  killing  and  driving  the  enemy  from 
it.  He  made  repeated  attempts  to  dislodge  us,  but, 
thanks  to  God,  did  not  succeed.  In  about  two  hours 
officers  came  in  with  re-enforcements,  who  ranked  me, 
and  then  all  the  fighting,  responsibility,  and  excitement 
being  over,  and  my  wound  becoming  stiff,  I  realized 
that  I  felt  discomfort  from  my  wound.  A  drink  of 
spirits  from  a  soldier's  canteen  revived  me,  but  in  a 
few  minutes  I  fell. 

In  a  half  hour  I  was  on  my  way  to  my  quarters,  Lt. 
Andrews  kindly  accompanying  me.  Dr.  Harney  soon 
came  to  see  me  and  told  me  that  the  ball  was  in  me  but 
would  do  no  harm.  Without  probing  the  wound,  or 
allowing  anything  to  be  done  to  give  me  pain,  he 
ordered  a  poultice  of  bread  and  milk,  or  water  to  be 
applied.  I  am  now  using  the  same  kind.  My  wound 
is  about  three  inches  below  the  point  of  the  shoulder, 
and  the  ball,  Dr.  Steiner  (who  probed  the  wound  for 
me  to-day)  thinks,  is  under  the  knot  of  muscles  under 
my  arm.  The  hits  on  my  left  arm  are  from  slugs  or 
buckshot  and  though  they  leave  a  mark,  are  nothing. 
The  Doctors  say  that  I  must  have  been  shot  by  some 
Mexican  above  me;  if  so,  it  must  have  been  as  I  faced 
to  the  left  at  the  trail  of  the  second  gun  and  the  man 
must  have  been  on  the  wall  at  the  angle  "c." 


3H  An  Artillery  Officer 

On  the  nth  I  was  taken  in  my  "old  camp  bed-cot," 
to  Mixcoac  where  I  was  kindly  received  by  Lt.  Cald- 
well,  U.  S.  Marines,  and  remained  with  him,  Dr. 
Harney  coming  to  see  me  two  or  three  times  each  day, 
till  the  1 8th  when  I  came  to  this  City,  my  cot  being 
placed  as  it  stands  in  an  Ambulance. 

I  remained  that  night  in  Genl.  Torners  house,  used 
as  a  Hospital  for  the  Officers  of  the  1st  Division,  and 
the  next  day  came  to  the  Qrs.  I  now  occupy, — a  room 
in  Genl.  Valentia's  house.  My  house  mates  are  Major 
Wade,  whose  wound  is  doing  well,  Capt.  Huger  and 
his  three  Ordnance  Subalterns. 

The  battle  of  the  I3th  of  course  I  missed.  My  old 
cloak  (which  I  wore  on  the  8th  thinking  I  would  have  a 
chill  that  day,  having  had  one  on  the  6th)  bears  the 
marks  of  service.  Thanks  be  to  Almighty  God  for  my 
preservation;  the  fire  was  more  severe  than  I  ever 
thought  it  could  be  in  battle.  For  a  few  moments  I 
was  apprehensive  that  we  must  either  be  cut  down  or 
driven  back,  but  God  gave  us  the  victory.  The 
enemy's  forces  more  than  quintupled  ours.  Poor  Lt. 
Col.  Graham  fell,  gallantly  cheering  his  men  on.  I 
have  written  too  much  and  will  stop  for  to-day. 

Thursday,  September  2$rd. 

I  find  that  my  letter  to  you  from  Tacubaya  which  I 
endeavored  to  have  sent  by  the  Br.  Courier,  did  not 
go.  Most  deeply  do  I  regret  this,  as  I  fear  the  one 
which  was  taken  two  or  three  days  ago  has  been 
captured  by  some  of  the  guerrilla  bands  that  infest 
every  part  of  the  road  to  Vera  Cruz.  The  City  has 
been  quiet  since  I  entered  it.  But  an  order  of  Genl. 
Scott's,  published  yesterday,  informs  us  that  there  is 
a  conspiracy  headed  by  some  cowardly  officers  and 


In  Mexico  315 

false  priests  to  assassinate  our  brave  little  Army.  The 
principal  conspirator  is  said  to  be  an  Irish  priest, 
named  McNamara,  who  has  been  tampering  with  our 
soldiers,  offering  them  lands  in  California  if  they  desert, 
etc.,  etc.  I  hope,  if  the  evidence  is  conclusive  against 
him,  that  he  will  be  hung. 

Santa  Anna,  the  night  he  fled,  opened  the  prison 
doors,  letting  loose  the  scoundrels  who  were  under 
going  their  just  punishment  for  murder,  robbery,  and 
other  crimes.  These  are  some  of  the  tools  he  designed 
to  be  used  in  this  conspiracy.  The  Genl.  enjoins 
vigilance  on  officers  and  men,  and  will  doubtless  take 
all  possible  means  to  detect  and  stifle  this  vile  plot. 
I  cannot  but  think  that  we  are  here  to  carry  out  some 
great  scheme  of  Providence,  and  that  God  will  inter 
pose  his  powerful  arm  in  our  defence  and  protection. 
We  hear  that  Genl.  Patterson  brings  from  Brazos 
about  4000  men.  Having  written  as  much  as  I  ought, 
Ijwill  here  stop. 

Friday,  24th. 

Dr.  Steiner  has  changed  my  dressing,  having  given 
me  a  simple  layer  of  lint,  kept  in  place  by  thin  strips 
of  adhesive  plaster.  He  says  that  the  wound  has  a 
healthy  appearance  and  that  it  is  doing  well. 

To-day  I  have  been  shopping,  intending  to  procure 
some  engravings  for  you,  representing  the  manners  and 
customs  of  the  Indians  of  the  Country.  I  succeeded 
in  getting  only  three,  and  fear  that  I  will  not  be  able 
to  procure  any  more.  I  amuse  myself  walking  a  short 
distance  down  the  street,  looking  at  their  stores,  some 
of  which  excel,  in  the  richness  of  their  goods,  anything 
I  ever  saw  in  the  United  States.  But  such  prices! 
A  man  who  furnishes  his  house  here  as  many  of  them 
are  furnished,  must  be  rich  indeed. 


316  An  Artillery  Officer 

I  saw  Genl.  Bravo's  saddle  to-day,  the  seat  worked 
with  gold  and  with  much  rich  ornamental  work  about 
it:  it  cost  the  genteel  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars.  I 
have  not  visited  the  market  or  any  of  the  public  build 
ings,  but  hope  in  a  week  to  be  well  enough  to  wear  my 
coat,  when  I  will  take  my  time  in  examining  the  curi 
osities  of  the  City.  Good-night. 

No.  20.     MEXICO,  October  i,  1847. 

Thanks  be  to  God,  for  so  far  having  restored  me  to 
health  as  to  enable  me  to  resume  my  nightly  conver 
sations  with  my  wife.  Will  the  letters  despatched  by 
the  Br.  Minister's  Express  on  the  28th  ult.  and  the 
note  sent  this  morning  by  private  express  reach  you? 
I  hope  they,  or  at  least  one  of  them  may,  for  I  know 
the  interest,  the  almost  burning  anxiety  which  you 
will  feel,  till  you  have  it  from  my  own  hand  that  I 
am  safe. 

My  wound  is  now  nearly  well;  the  new  skin  com 
menced  forming  over  its  edges  yesterday.  Yesterday, 
too,  was  the  first  day  that  I  have  been  able  to  shave 
myself;  the  task  was  executed,  I  assure  you,  with  a 
thankful  heart,  and  almost  boyish  delight,  but  the 
day  previous  was  not  quite  so  delightful  a  day  to  me, 
as  I  had  my  old  enemy,  a  chill,  succeeded  by  a  most 
burning  and  long  continued  fever.  Under  Dr.  Steiner's 
prescriptions  (he  comes  and  dresses  my  wound  daily), 
I  took  eleven  pills  yesterday  and  this  morning,  and  I 
have  missed  the  chill  to-day.  I  presume  that  I  shall 
have  to  take  quinine  for  a  long  time. 

This  attack  has  delayed  my  moving  to  Genl.  Scott's 
Quarters.  I  shall  go  to-morrow  should  nothing  occur 
to  prevent  it. 

To-day  I  sent  for  Sergt.  Robinson,  who  was  very  ac- 


In  Mexico  317 

tive  in  procuring  additional  men  for  us  when  we  first 
entered  the  Foundry  on  the  8th  Sept.,  and  thanked 
him  for  his  valuable  services.  He  seemed  highly 
gratified  at  what  I  said  to  him.  On  the  8th  I  recom 
mended  for  promotion  to  a  Corporalcy,  one  of  the 
privates  of  "G"  Co.  whose  conduct  was  reported  to  me 
as  having  been  very  gallant;  Capt.  Burke  handsomely 
acceded  to  my  recommendation,  and  he  was  appointed 
on  the  field  of  battle.  My  poor  Company  is  cruelly 
cut  up;  I  shall  resume  its  command  with  melancholy 
feelings.  Leaving  Vera  Cruz  with  nearly  a  hundred 
in  its  ranks,  I  shall  now  find  its  privates  reduced  by 
death  and  absentees  in  the  hospitals,  to  less  than 
thirty.  I  feel  that  I  have  written  enough  for  to-night. 
Good-night. 

Sunday,  3rd. 

Yesterday,  I  moved  to  Genl.  Hd.  Qrs.  where  I  am 
now  very  comfortably  at  home.  Mr.  Trist  is  the  only 
fellow-liver  with  the  Genl.  Thinking  yesterday,  that, 
as  I  was  coming  here,  I  would  spruce  up  a  little,  I  had 
my  suspenders  put  on,  and  wore  them  all  day.  Last 
night  I  suffered  for  my  folly,  their  pressure  on  the 
muscles  just  below  the  point  of  the  shoulder  giving 
me  an  uneasy  stiffness  and  heaviness  of  my  shoulder 
all  night.  Dr.  Steiner  says  he  never  knew  a  similar 
wound  to  heal  as  well  and  rapidly  as  mine  has.  He  says 
that  had  the  ball  penetrated  perpendicularly  at  the 
point  where  it  struck,  I  must  certainly  either  have  lost 
my  life  instantly,  or  that  amputation  must  have  been 
made  at  the  shoulder  joint.  It  was  deflected  from  its 
course,  turning  down  the  arm,  by  the  muscles.  Every 
day's  reflection  convinces  me  more  and  more  of  the 
vastness  of  my  obligation  to  God,  for  having  preserved 


An  Artillery  Officer 

my  life  on  that  dark  and  most  bloody  day.  Oh,  that 
my  gratitude  may  effect  a  salutary  change  in  my  cold 
and  sinful  heart. 

To-day,  I  am  wearing  my  old  comfort,  the  morning 
gown,  properly,  with  the  right  arm  in  its  sleeve — the 
first  day  I  have  done  so;  I  am  still  compelled  to  wear 
my  night-shirts,  as  they  only  are  sufficiently  large  for 
me  to  put  on  and  off  with  any  comfort,  and  to  enable 
the  Dr.  to  dress  my  wound.  I  have  now  been  using 
simple  salve  on  the  lint  four  days.  Dr.  Steiner  is  very 
attentive.  I  am  not  sure  whether  I  mentioned  that 
my  valet  was  wounded  the  same  day  I  was.  He  was 
wounded  in  the  breast,  the  ball  grazing  the  breast  bone, 
and  passing  horizontally  out  about  three  inches  from 
the  first  hole  where  it  entered.  I  have  kept  him  with 
me,  though,  until  I  moved  here,  I  have  had  another 
man  with  me,  a  young  soldier,  named  Hart,1  who  has 
been  exceedingly  kind  and  attentive.  I  shall  miss  his 
services  much,  as  he  is  much  smarter  and  quicker  than 
my  firm  friend  Derr. 

Yesterday  at  a  quarter  to  eight  A.M.  we  experienced 
the  severest  earthquake  I  ever  felt.  The  house  shook 
and  undulated  so  sea-like  as  to  make  many  persons 
sea-sick.  The  Mexicans  threw  themselves  on  their 
knees,  and  so  remained  till  all  was  again  still.  Old 
Popocatepetl  must  have  been  thinking  of  paying  us  a 
prank,  reminding  us  that  his  volcanic  fires  are  not  ex 
tinct.  The  gentleman,  now  Prussian  Minister  to 
Washington,  found  its  fires  active  enough  to  throw 
stones  nearly  to  the  top  of  the  crater,  when  he  visited 
its  edges  some  ten  years  ago. 

Rumor  states  to-day  that  Genl.  Taylor  is  marching 

1  Hart  was  taken  down  by  my  mother  to  Ft.  Sumter,  remained 
with  my  father,  and  hoisted  the  Flag  after  it  was  shot  down. 


In  Mexico  319 

towards  San  Luis  Potosi.     The  Genl.  discredits  the 
report.     Enough    writing   for    to-day. 

Monday,  4th. 

Still  doing  well — rested  well  last  night.  Not  until 
yesterday  did  I  learn  that  Genl.  Scatt  had  made  applica 
tion  about  the  igth  or  2ist  of  last  November,  for  me  to 
be  appointed  Asst.  Adjt.  Genl.  with  the  rank  of  Major, 
to  enable  him  to  select  me  as  Chief  of  his  Staff;  my  name 
was  sent  in  with  two  others,  Capts.  De  Hart  and  Vinton. 
As  if  to  show  him  that  his  desires  and  rights  should 
both  be  disregarded,  neither  was  appointed,  and  thus 
has  the  Genl.  had  thrown  upon  himself  a  vast  quantity 
of  labor  which  would  have  been  confided  to  an  exper 
ienced  Staff  Officer.  Never  before  was  a  Genl.  com 
manding  an  Army  on  the  Field,  he  the  highest  Officer 
of  the  Army,  refused,  in  any  other  service,  the  right  of 
selection  of  his  Chief  of  Staff.  'T  is  too  contemptible. 
If  the  people  of  the  United  States  do  not  see  through, 
and  visit  with  just  indignation,  the  conduct  pursued 
by  the  War  Dept.  towards  Genl.  S.  ever  since  he  left 
the  United  States,  they  are  not  fit  to  be  ruled  by,  or 
to  have  honest  men  in  office. 

No  news  to-day  from  any  point.  Col.  Hitchcock 
did  me  the  honor  to  read  to  me  last  night,  requesting 
my  suggestion  of  any  alteration  that  might  occur  to 
me,  a  proposed  introduction  to  a  number  of  letters, 
written  in  this  City  the  night  of  the  2Oth  Aug.,  and 
giving  their  comments  on  the  operations  of  that  day. 
The  Colonel's  introduction  is,  like  everything  from  his 
pen,  well  written.  If  he  decides  upon  its  publication, 
I  shall  take  care  of  a  copy  for  home. 

Genls.  P.  and  W.  have  given  the  Genl.  infinite  dis 
tress,  by  inaccuracies  in  their  reports,  assuming  to 


320  An  Artillery  Officer 

themselves  the  giving  of  Orders  and  the  execution  of 
Movements  upon  the  field  of  battle,  distinctly  directed 
by  the  Genl.  The  selfish  vanity  of  some  men  leads 
their  memory  entirely  astray;  vanity  and  ingratitude 
together  have  destroyed  high  merits  in  others.  Good- 
evening. 

Wednesday,  6th. 

Genl.  S.  gave  me  a  duty  to  execute  last  afternoon, 
which  prevented  my  continuing  my  letter.  I  am  to 
day  doing  well.  This  morning  Lt.  Hamilton  and  I 
walked  to  the  Museum  courtyard,  where  we  saw  the 
justly  celebrated  equestrian  statue  of  Charles  IV.  It 
is  colossal,  cast  in  bronze  by  a  Mexican  artist,  named 
Tolsa.  I  admire  neither  the  expression  of  the  rider, 
nor  the  form  of  his  horse,  but  the  perfectness  of  so 
huge  a  casting  is  wonderful  and  the  effect  is  very  fine. 
I  prefer  it  to  our  marble  Washington  by  Greenough. 

Brantz  Myer's  work,  which  I  saw  for  the  first  time 
to-day,  presents  a  very  fair  engraving  of  this  statue, 
and  gives  a  pretty  good  critique  on  the  fat  Mexican 
horse,  evidently  too  fat  for  any  other  than  a  very  slow 
and  short  ride.  In  the  beauty  and  variety  of  the  wax 
figures  of  the  City,  so  highly  praised  by  foreigners,  I 
am  thus  far,  much  disappointed.  At  Puebla  I  could 
have  formed  a  better  and  more  interesting  collection. 
But  when,  or  how  I  am  to  get  them  home,  are  questions 
which,  not  being  able  to  answer  as  yet,  keep  me  from 
making  such  purchases. 

Last  night,  for  appearance'  sake,  being  in  a  parlor 
through  which  Mr.  Trist  and  his  visitors  have  to  pass, 
I  indulged  in  sheets,  with  which  I  have  just  provided 
myself.  The  declaration  will  appear  strange,  but  't  is 
true ;  so  long  have  I  been  accustomed  to  our  common 


In  Mexico 

camp  bed  covering,  that  it  was  a  sacrifice  of  comfort 
to  appearance.  We  know  nothing  certain  about  Santa 
Anna.  He  will  probably,  if  he  has  not  already  done  so, 
leave  Col.  Quids  and  go  towards  the  Coast;  if  so,  you 
will  hear  of  him  before  we  do.  The  Mexicans  who  bring 
reports  are  such  consummate  liars  that  if  they  tell 
the  truth,  't  is  by  mistake. 

Night  before  last,  we  were  visited  by  another  earth 
quake,  indeed  by  two,  't  is  said  a  slight  one  before  ten, 
and  a  tolerably  severe  one  a  quarter  before  twelve.  I 
dreamt,  or  thought  in  my  sleep,  that  there  was  one, 
but  it  did  not  awaken  me. 

The  so  much  talked  of  rainy  season  is  said  to  be 
nearly  over;  soon  after  the  heavens  brighten  in  the 
fall,  the  vomito  takes  its  departure,  and  then  come 
the  Northers.  I  hope  that  the  Northers  will  bring  us 
heavy  arrivals  of  troops  at  Vera  Cruz,  open  the  com 
munication  with  the  United  States  and  give  us  letters. 

Here  the  Genl.  came  in,  and  asked  me  to  join  him 
in  a  walk.  I  have  been  with  him  fifteen  minutes  and 
left  him  to  finish  his  walk.  The  pressure  of  the  cloak 
upon  my  shoulder  prevents  my  wearing  it  a  longer 
time  with  any  comfort.  I  have  purchased  a  very  light 
sword,  which  I  carry  as  a  cane  and  as  a  means  of  de 
fence.  My  old  sword  is  too  heavy  for  me  now  to  use. 
To-morrow,  a  gentleman  leaves  this  city  for  Puebla. 
He  may  go  further;  if  so,  I  will  ask  a  favor  of  him — 
one  letter  will  not  be  much  additional  to  his  baggage. 
Enough  for  to-day. 

Thursday,  7th. 

The  gentleman  messenger  has  gone,  I  believe,  but  I 
did  not  succeed  in  sending  a  line.  News  reached  the 
City  last  evening,  that  Santa  Anna  left  Puebla  on  the 


322  An  Artillery  Officer 

morning  of  the  2nd  on  his  way  south;  whether  he  looks 
for  prey  or  safety,  no  one  knows.  Many  of  his  troops 
had  deserted  at  Puebla  and  those  still  pretending  to 
stand  by  their  colors  are  said  to  be  rather  rabble  than 
soldier-like  in  their  conduct. 

To-day  we  hear  that  detachments  from  Vera  Cruz 
are  en  route,  that  one  is  on  the  southern  road  at  Orizaba. 
'T  is  a  pity  that  the  other  two  (three  are  said  to  be 
marching  up)  had  not  united.  It  would  be  unfortu 
nate  were  either  detachment  to  meet  with  the  slightest 
reverse;  it  would  be  magnified  into  an  immense  victory, 
and  might  fan  the  flame  of  military  ardor  which  all 
good  friends  of  peace  and  order  in  Mexico  hope  may 
soon  be  extinguished. 

The  condition  of  the  Mexican  officers,  taken  pris 
oners  by  us,  is  truly  lamentable.  Many  of  them,  some 
of  rank  as  high  as  Lt.  Colonels,  have  told  our  officers 
that  they  were  without  money,  and  could  obtain  not 
a  cent  from  their  countrymen.  They  have  been  in 
many  cases  assisted  by  their  enemies.  Some  appre 
hensions  are  entertained  about  the  safety  of  the  letters 
sent  by  the  last  express.  If  my  letters  by  him  are 
intercepted,  I  think  I  may  despond  of  getting  a  line 
to  you. 

I  hope  that  in  your  next  letter  you  will  tell  me  when 
Father  proposes  to  take  up  his  line  of  march  home 
wards.  I  am  half  inclined  to  change  the  direction  of 
all  letters  I  may  send  after  the  2Oth  of  this  month, 
so  as  to  place  those  that  may  reach  the  United  States 
after  the  loth  of  Nov.  in  the  Camden  Post  Office.  I 
feel  anxious  to  hear  how  you  have  passed  the  summer; 
what  a  crowd  of  news  my  heart  yearns  for!  About 
your  kind  and  excellent  Grandmother's  health,  I 
feel  great  anxiety.  I  can  scarcely  think  after  the 


In  Mexico  323 

severe  attacks  she  had  just  prior  to  my  last  news  from 
her,  she  can  have  survived  through  the  summer.  She 
is,  however,  blessed  with  a  glorious  constitution,  and 
may  have  recovered  to  live  many  years  longer. 

Who  will  dare  to  read  the  decisions  and  will  of  God, 
under  whose  displeasure  the  strong  man  falls  in  a  mo 
ment,  whilst,  at  His  good  will,  the  invalid  is  raised  to 
health  and  a  happy  long  life?  The  shades  of  evening 
are  rapidly  darkening  my  paper,  and  as  I  have  already 
written  as  much  as  I  ought  to,  I  shall  close  with  a 
God  bless  you. 

Friday,  October  8th. 

This  day  one  month  ago,  came  off  the  foully  murderous 
tragedy  of  "El  Molino  del  Rey,"  a  day,  an  event  I  can 
never  forget.  Praised  be  God  that  I  live  to  remember 
His  mercy  alone  preserved  me;  may  it  prove  to  be  for 
a  good  end!  The  rainy  season,  now  that  we  are  "re 
velling  in  the  Halls,"  seems  to  have  begun  anew,  as  we 
have  had  rain  daily  for  nearly  a  week.  Most  fortunate 
was  it  for  our  poor  soldiers  that  it  did  not  pay  us  daily 
visits  whilst  in  march  for,  and  operating  against  this 
City  and  its  dependencies. 

I  have  heard  one  or  two  newspaper  slips  read  to-day 
from  home  papers.  The  Sun  of  New  York  is  abusive, 
vulgarly  abusive  of  Genl.  S.  These  slips  belong  to  an 
Editor  of  a  Mexican  paper.  I  will  try  and  get  a  perusal 
of  them.  A  rumor  is  current  in  the  City  that  Genl. 
Santa  Anna's  guard  of  Cavalry  is  rapidly  deserting, 
that  he  directed  or  had  four  of  them  shot,  and  that 
their  companions  mutinied,  and  that  he  narrowly 
escaped.  Mrs.  Santa  Anna  has  gone,  't  is  said,  to 
Orizaba.  If  the  above  rumor  be  true,  the  sooner  his 
Excellency,  "El  bien  merito,"  leaves  the  Country  the 


324          An  Artillery  Officer 

better.  The  people  have  no  sympathy  with  him,  and 
his  only  dependence  is  the  Army. 

I  did  not  mention  the  duty  Genl.  S.  gave  me  the 
other  day ;  't  is  to  collect  and  arrange  all  the  information 
I  can,  relative  to  the  Zodiacal  or  Calendrical  Stone  of 
the  Ancient  Mexicans.  He  thinks  somewhat  of  taking 
it  to  Washington,  if  the  Mexicans  do  not  make  peace 
with  us. 

Though  my  wound,  the  Dr.  assures  me,  is  healing 
very  well,  I  recover  so  very  slowly  that  I  begin  to  fear 
that  a  long  time  will  elapse  before  I  can  have  the  good 
use  of  my  shoulder.  A  little  feeling  of  heaviness  or  pain 
about  the  shoulder  always  indicates  when  the  muscles 
have  had  exercise  enough.  I  cannot  but  obey  the 
warning;  therefore  now  my  adieu. 

Saturday,  9th. 

A  captain  from  Santa  Anna's  Army  reported  to  the 
Inspector  Genl.  of  our  Army,  this  morning,  that  he,  Genl. 
S.  A.,  went  to  El  Final  from  Puebla,  with  5000  men ; 
that  he  commenced  fortifying  there,  but,  that  on  learn 
ing  that  Genl.  Patterson  was  on  his  way  up  with 
3500  men,  he  abandoned  that  position,  informed  the 
Officers  that  he  was  going  to  Oajaca,  and  offered  all  who 
desired  them,  passports.  This  man  says  that  so  many 
applied  for  them,  that  Santa  Anna  soon  declined  giving 
any;  that  the  Army  is  without  pay,  and  entirely  disor 
ganized,  700  men  having  deserted  since  they  left  Puebla. 
This  Captain  shewed  his  passport,  and  says  that  he  left 
the  Army  on  last  Monday,  5th  inst.  How  much  of  this 
is  true  time  will  shew.  I  believe  no  Mexican  story.  All 
these  public  men  seem  to  make  a  virtue  of  lying,  in 
all  statements  having  any  bearing  upon  us. 

Our  wounded  are  generally  doing  well.     I  fear  that 


In  Mexico  325 

we  shall  lose  three  Lieuts.:  Shackelford  and  Daniels, 
2nd  Arty.,  and  Lieut.  Bacon,  6th  Infy.  All  three  are 
very  low,  and  but  slight  hopes  are  entertained  of  their 
recovery.  Genl.  S.  is  still  engaged  upon  his  report 
of  the  battles  of  the  I2th  and  I3th  September.  He  was 
delayed  by  waiting  for  the  Division  Reports,  and  is 
compelled  to  write  a  lengthy  report,  in  order  to  set 
transactions  in  a  true  light,  which  are  misrepresented  in 
some  two  of  the  Division  Reports.  The  affair  of  the 
8th,  more  deadly  and  requiring  more  nerve  than  almost 
any  portion  of  the  other  battles,  is  not  dwelt  upon, 
because  't  is  an  affair  that,  though  reflecting  high  credit 
on  the  troops,  if  truly  criticised  will  not  do  as  much 
for  the  Milty.  reputation  of  a  certain  Commander 
and  some  of  his  Staff.  That  Commander  is  not 
Genl.  Scott.  We  hear  nothing  from  Queretaro,  the 
seat  of  the  nominal  Mexican  Govt.  Enough.  Good- 
evening. 

Monday,  nth. 

Report  says  to-day,  that  over  three  thousand  Amer 
ican  soldiers  have  arrived  at  Puebla,  and  that  the 
Mexican  troops  abandoned,  thereupon,  that  City.  I 
presume  that  they  (our  troops)  will  not  come  any 
farther,  as  there  are  now  as  many  troops  here  as  will  be 
necessary;  the  Army  that  has  won,  can  surely  keep  the 
City.  I  am  delighted  to  hear  of  the  approach  of  re- 
enforcements,  as  I  look  to  them  for  letters,  and  also  as 
being  the  means  of,  ere  long,  opening,  and  keeping 
open,  the  road  to  Vera  Cruz.  With  the  troops  en  route 
may  be  expected  some  Officers  who  have  been  on  the 
recruiting  service.  Many  of  the  wounded  have  hoped 
to  be  ordered  home  in  their  places.  I  fear  that  most  of 
them  will  be  disappointed,  as  from  an  expression  used 


326          An  Artillery  Officer 

by  the  Genl.  a  day  or  two  since,  I  think  he  will  send 
very  few,  if  any,  home. 

I  read  to-day,  with  infinite  disgust,  Genl.  Worth's 
report  of  the  battle  of  Molino  del  Rey;  he  mingles,  in  a 
single  paragraph,  the  names  of  Officers  who  distin 
guished  themselves  greatly  by  gallantry  and  zeal,  and 
those  who  were  not  remarked  for  more  than  an  ordinary 
discharge  of  their  duty.  In  the  jrd  he  mentions  every 
Officer  on  the  field  but  one,  and  to  my  knowledge,  he 
deserved  to  be  named  equally  as  much  as  two  who 
were.  He  makes  Lt.  Col.  Duncan  his  hero;  the  Di 
vision  do  not,  in  this  case,  confirm  his  decree — not  that 
Duncan  was  not  brave,  but,  as  he  had  charge  of  the 
Arty.,  we  know  that  a  longer  continuance  of  its  fires 
that  morning,  before  the  advance  of  the  Infy.,  would 
have  saved  many  valuable  lives. 

Our  force  on  the  8th  including  everybody  engaged, 
was  3251  against  a  Mexican  force  Genl.  Worth  reports 
at  14,000.  We  lost,  killed  116,  including  9  Officers; 
wounded  665  (49  Officers  included);  missing  18,  total 
of  losses  799!!  being  very  near  one  man  out  of  every 
four.  May  I  not  call  that  a  murderous  affair?  On 
the  1 9th  and  2Oth  Aug.  our  force  engaged  was  8497, 
of  whom  137  (14  officers  included)  were  killed;  877 
(62  officers  included)  wounded,  and  38  were  missing; 
a  total  of  1052.  On  the  12,  13,  and  I4th  September 
7180  were  engaged:  killed  130  (including  10  officers), 
and  wounded  703  (68  officers  included),  and  missing  29: 
making  a  total  of  862.  Grand  total  in  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing  since  we  reached  this  basin  2713!! 

Tuesday,  October  I2th. 

On  looking  at  an  old  chart  (1762)  of  the  coast,  from 
Pensacola,  East  and  West,  for  many  miles,  I  find  some 


In  Mexico  327 

remarkable  differences  in  the  spelling  of  several  of  the 
places,  etc.,  showing  how  much  we  have  modernized 
the  original  names:  San  Miguel  de  Panzacola,  Movila, 
Pascagula,  B.  S.  Luis,  Pontchartvin,  La  Baliza, 
Misissippi — the  latter  may  have  been  spelt  incorrectly 
on  the  chart. 

Yesterday's  report  about  the  arrival  of  troops  at  or 
very  near  Puebla  is  believed  here.  A  member  of  the 
Mexican  Congress,  now  on  his  way  to  Queretaro,  says 
that  he  wants  us  to  annihilate  their  Army,  that  this 
being  done,  the  friends  of  good  government  will  be  able 
to  establish  and  maintain  that  great  desideratum.  If 
they  cannot  keep  the  Army  down  now  they  may  as  well 
abandon  all  idea  of  Republican  Government.  I  am 
too  much  fatigued  to  write  more.  Adieu. 

Saturday,  October  i6th. 

As  the  Spy  Company  goes  down  this  evening  with 
despatches,  I  thought  of  sending  this  letter  by  it,  but 
am  in  doubt,  even  as  I  write,  whether  to  do  so  or  not. 
As  this  one  has  no  special  news,  but  embraces  a  great 
portion  of  the  time  since  I  was  wounded,  I  think  I 
will  trust  it.  The  Genl.  sends  a  copy  of  his  reports 
by  this  express — he  sent  another  4  days  ago.  I  find 
that,  though  Col.  Garland  and  Capt.  Burke  mention 
my  conduct  on  the  8th  Sept.  in  terms  very  compli 
mentary,  and  too  flattering,  my  friend  Col.  Belton 
does  not  name  me  in  his  report.  I  know  the  man  too 
well,  and  he  thinks  by  his  petty  malice  he  can  punish 
me  for  it.  Thank  God,  the  testimony  of  a  good  con 
science  and  the  approbation  of  my  brother  officers, 
witness  to  my  bearing,  more  than  make  amends  for 
his  silence. 

My  arm  is  improving  slowly  in  strength.     I  hope 


328          An  Artillery  Officer 

that  in  a  week  or  ten  days  I  will  be  well  enough  to 
return  to  duty.  Lts.  Shackelford,  2nd  Arty.,  and  Bacon, 
6th  Infy.,  with  Asst.  Surgeon  Roberts  (of  Georgia)  were 
buried  two  mornings  since.  Lt.  Daniels,  2nd  Arty.,  is 
very  much  reduced,  but  hopes  are  entertained  for  his 
recovery.  I  am -now  wearing  an  old  mixed  cotton 
coat  I  purchased  at  Tampico.  My  uniform  presses 
too  heavily  on  my  shoulder;  I  found,  much  to  my  de 
light  on  the  1 3th  inst.,  that  I  could  wear  this  coat;  up 
to  that  time  I  had  worn  my  dressing-gown.  I  have  not 
seen  Major  Wade  for  several  days,  but  hear  that  he  is 
doing  well.  Col.  Burnett,  N.  Y.  Regt.,  came  to  see 
Genl.  Scott  to-day.  His  case  is  a  most  wonderful  one ; 
shot  through  the  leg,  he  had  the  lockjaw  for  nearly 
three  weeks. 

I  may  as  well  say  a  word  or  two  about  this  great 
City,  in  the  appearance  of  which  I  have  been  greatly 
disappointed.  Its  Cathedral,  market,  and  the  general 
effect  of  the  appearance  of  the  houses  as  you  pass 
through  the  streets,  all  compare  unfavorably  with 
their  similars  in  the  "City  of  the  Angels."  Perhaps, 
as  I  am  still  too  much  of  an  invalid  to  walk  much  about 
the  City,  I  should  not  express  an  opinion  till  I  see 
the  whole  of  it.  I  will  give  another  opinion  without 
hesitation,  adverse  to  this,  if  I  am  hereafter  better 
pleased  with  the  City  than  I  am  now. 

We  know  not  whether  Duncan  is  with  the  troops  said 
to  have  reached  Puebla,  or  not.  They  will  probably 
remain  there,  as  we  have  as  many  here  as  we  want. 

That  our  Heavenly  Father  will  ever  continue  to 
guard  and  guide  you  is  the  earnest  prayer  of  your  own 
husband,  and  with  all  His  blessings,  I  hope  He  will 
soon  enable  us  to  thank  Him  for  restoring  me  to  my 
beloved  family. 


In  Mexico  329 

No.  21.    MEXICO,  October  i4th. 

Casa  del  El  Senor  Loreti  Vivanca  de  Moran,  Calle 
Espirito  Santo.  Such  I  find  to  be  the  title  of  the 
owner  of  the  house  in  which  I  now  write.  Spanish 
and  Mexican  houses  have  been  so  frequently  described, 
indeed  you  may  see  some  of  their  style  of  building  in 
New  Orleans,  that  I  shall  say  but  a  few  words  about 
this.  It  has  two  courts ;  steps  leading  a  few  feet  from 
the  wall  to  your  right,  lead  you  by  an  entresol,  reserved 
for  the  servants,  to  the  second  or  upper  story  where 
the  rooms  for  the  family  are;  directly  in  front  as  you 
reach  the  last  step,  you  see  the  door  of  a  little  ante 
chamber,  which  you  approach  through  an  open  balcony, 
having  on  your  right  a  double  row  of  geraniums,  roses, 
lilies,  hydrangias,  violets,  etc.,  in  large  and  handsome 
painted  earthen  pots,  the  upper  row  projecting  above 
the  top  of  the  iron  railing  of  the  balcony.  On  your 
left,  the  wall  is  covered  with  canvas,  handsomely 
painted  to  represent  niches,  containing  vases  filled 
with  beautiful  flowers,  having  in  the  background  views 
of  country  and  city.  The  antechamber,  has  on  your 
left  a  neat  bookcase,  of  inlaid  wood,  and  in  different 
places  around  the  wall  you  find  a  half  dozen  cases  of 
glass  filled  with  birds  (prepared)  of  Mexico. 

Passing  through  this  room  you  enter,  through  a 
double  glass  door,  the  parlor,  a  room  about  36  by  16 
feet;  the  walls  and  ceilings  are  very  tastefully  painted. 
In  front  of  you  stands  against  the  wall  a  long  mirror 
with  gilded  frame,  on  your  left  is  a  long  piano. 
The  walls  are  hung  with  handsome  French  engravings; 
from  the  centre  of  the  ceiling  hangs  a  huge  bronze 
chandelier,  and  of  course  a  French  clock  is  to  be  found 
on  a  side  stand. 

But  if  you  are  fatigued,  I  advise  you  to  be  seated 


330          An  Artillery  Officer 

upon  one  of  the  three  luxuriant  straw-colored  sofas 
with  blue  silk  stripes,  now  as  well  as  the  room  full  of 
chairs  so  carefully  covered  with  their  linen  chemises. 
Two  large  double  glass  doors  lead  on  to  the  little 
platform  which  runs  the  length  of  this  room  with  its 
iron  balustrade,  and  enables  you  to  have  a  view  of  this 
City  of  immense  wealth,  and  indescribable  misery  and 
poverty. 

A  door  in  the  middle  of  the  right  hand  wall  (as  you 
enter)  leads  into  the  Genl.'s  bedroom,  which,  as  it  has 
no  Mexican  furniture  in  it  except  chairs,  tables,  and  a 
glass  doored  armoire,  I  will  not  describe.  This  room 
has  two  doors,  one  in  the  same  wall  as  the  door  through 
which  you  enter,  and  to  your  right  leads  into  an  ex 
ceedingly  comfortable  room  for  bathing,  washing,  etc. 
The  door  near  this  one  and  on  its  left,  leads  into  Mr. 
Trist's  room,  next  to  which  is  the  room  I  occupy,  which 
I  must  try  to  draw.  * 

Friday ,  I5th. 

I  was  called  off  to  join  the  Genl.  in  a  walk  and  finished 
my  house  talk  to-day.  I  thought  after  commencing 
that  I  would  describe  with  greater  minuteness  than  I 
at  first  deemed  necessary;  it  has  so  many  conveniences, 
that  I  may  say  more  at  some  other  time — closing  now, 
as  it  is  about  our  time  for  walking,  by  saying  that  all  the 
walls  of  the  rooms  are  covered  with  canvas  painted 
very  neatly  above  and  below,  and  that  all  the  sofas 
and  chairs  in  my  room  have  on  their  covers  of  brown 
linen.  I  omitted  mentioning  that  the  curtains,  very 
large  and  full,  in  the  parlor  are  beautifully  and  heavily 
worked  with  thread  lace;  they  are  white,  and  have  a 
blue  top  piece,  with  gilded  head  piece.  Good-evening. 

1 A  sketch  was  enclosed  in  letter. 


In  Mexico  331 


Sunday,  October 
Yesterday  I  wrote  a  little  in  No.  20,  despatched  by 
our  robber  band.  I  pray  that  that  letter  may  reach  you  ; 
it  will  show  you  that  you  have  no  cause  for  uneasiness, 
as  I  tell  you  there  of  my  daily  improvement.  I  have 
just  returned  from  a  stroll,  and  am  so  much  fatigued 
that  I  shall  now  close.  To-day  I  have  thanked  God 
for  His  preservation;  may  He  long  continue  to  bless 
us  with  the  light  of  His  countenance  and  soon  restore 
me  to  you. 

Monday,  i8th. 

I  have  this  moment  heard  that  a  gentleman,  Mr. 
Sandoff,  starts  for  Vera  Cruz  to-morrow  morning,  and 
that  he  will  take  a  few  letters.  I  shall,  therefore, 
hastily  finish  this  letter.  I  was  interrupted  here  by  a 
conversation  which  occurred  between  Genl.  Scott  and 
a  wounded  Capt.,  one  who  has  lost  his  right  arm.  The 
Capt.  desired  to  know  whether  there  was  a  chance  of 
his  being  permitted  to  leave  the  Country.  The  Genl. 
laid  down  the  principle  he  intends  pursuing,  without 
deviation,  he  says,  for  friend  or  foe  —  viz.:  to  permit 
no  Officer  to  leave  the  Army  unless  an  Army  Surgeon 
(in  whom  he  has  confidence)  shall  certify  that  the 
Officer  will  not  be  fit  for  service  for  three  months. 
This  decision  is,  though,  entirely  proper,  as  we  have 
very  few  Officers  present  with  the  Companies. 

God  grant  that  ere  very  long  something  may  bring 
us  to  a  peace.  But  this  hope  is  almost  entirely  re 
moved  by  what  was  told  Genl.  S.  a  few  days  since,  by 
a  member  of  Congress  (the  second  one  who  advanced 
this  opinion)  that  there  was  a  very  respectable  party 
in  this  Country  opposed  to  our  leaving  this  Country. 
They  fear,  that  as  soon  as  we  leave  their  unfortunate 


332  An  Artillery  Officer 

Country,  the  Military  will  again  usurp  all  authority  and 
curse  them,  as  hitherto,  with  their  arbitrary  and  un 
just  acts.  Now  although  this  is  very  flattering  to  us, 
as  Soldiers  and  Christians,  still  it  presents  a  gloomy 
picture  of  the  future  to  us. 

When  will  the  friends  of  good  order  and  civil  govern 
ment  feel  themselves  sufficiently  strong  to  walk  without 
our  sustaining  help  in  the  cause  of  self-government? 
Not  until  the  yeomanry — the  voters — are  sufficiently 
educated  and  informed  to  understand  and  practise 
their  rights,  and  so  debased  are  they  that  it  must  take 
years — many  long  years — before  this  result,  so  necessary 
and  desirable,  can  be  effected.  The  home  question 
then  bears  upon  the  soul — are  we  to  be  kept  here  as 
guardians  of  a  people  who  acknowledge  themselves 
incompetent  of  self-government? 

Genl.  Scott,  you  will  see,  has  submitted  to  the  con 
sideration  of  the  Govt.  three  propositions,  one  of  which 
he  thinks  the  Govt.  must  adopt.  As  you  will  soon  see 
this  in  print,  I  will  now  merely  state  that  two  of  the 
plans  keep  us  in  the  Country  till  Mexico  sues  for 
peace,  and  that  the  third  places  our  Army  on  the  line 
of  boundary  selected  by  our  Govt. 

The  man  who  took  down  two  letters  for  you  last 
month  has  returned,  and  I  thus  know  that  they  reached 
Vera  Cruz  in  safety.  You  may  know  how  delighted 
I  am  at  this;  I  think,  as  the  gentleman  who  takes  this 
is  a  Mexican,  with  whom  our  people  will  not  have 
any  questioning,  other  than  perhaps  to  see  his  passport 
(rather  safe  guard  from  Genl.  S.),  that  this  will  soon 
reach  you.  News  from  below  informs  us  that  a  large 
mail  must  be  at  Puebla.  When  we  shall  get  our  letters 
here  is  exceedingly  doubtful,  as  Genl.  Scott  says  no 
thing  about  sending  down  for  it.  What  would  I  not 


In  Mexico  333 

give  for  your  letters ;  not  a  line  from  you  of  a  later  date 
than  the  24th  June.  And  how  many  things  have  oc 
curred  since,  of  which  you  regularly  informed  me. 

Indeed,  indeed,  my  wife,  though  I  write  no  more 
about  resigning — if  I  can  get  out  of  this  Country,  I 
cannot  return  to  the  Army  whilst  this  administration 
holds  the  reins  of  power.  The  news  of  every  appoint 
ment  shows  us  their  prosecution  of  a  plan  to  insult 
and  break  down  the  spirits  of  our  Regular  Army  Offi 
cers,  many  of  whom  have  applied  for  promotion  in 
new  regiments  and  their  respectful  requests  have  been 
scornfully  treated  with  silent  contempt.  Thank  God 
my  pride  has  not  received  THAT  blow  from  them!  The 
troops  now  en  route  have  been  ordered  to  garrison 
some  new  posts  intermediate  between  this  place  and 
Vera  Cruz.  Genl.  Patterson  is  permitted  to  select 
Puebla  as  his  Hd.  Qrs.,  but  many  think  as  the  command 
there  will  not  be  equal  to  his  rank,  that  he  prefers  to 
come  to  this  place. 

The  papers  received  by  the  Br.  Consul  show  that 
you  have  heard  of  our  entrance  into  the  City.  But 
I  fear  that  you  have  not  heard  of  my  lucky  escape  and 
that  your  fears  represented  things  in  the  worst  light. 
You  have  by  this  time  received  assurances  under  my 
own  hand,  which  must  have  set  your  heart  at  rest. 
How  signally,  how  kindly  have  I  been  guarded;  let  us 
never  forget  to  thank  God,  day  and  night,  for  His  con 
stant  protection  of  our  little  flock.  My  heart,  my 
confidence  in  Him,  whispers  to  me  that  your  letters, 
so  long  and  ardently  expected  and  hoped  for,  will  show 
that  His  care  has  been  for  you. 

I  have  been  scribbling  as  hurriedly  as  possible  evei 
since  this  letter  (I  mean  to-day's  portion)  was  com 
menced,  as  the  young  gentleman  who  volunteered  to 


334          An  Artillery  Officer 

have  it  taken  went  hurriedly  off  to  ascertain  when  the 
letters  must  be  sent  and  I  have  been  momentarily 
expecting  his  return.  I  hope  that  he  may  not  have 
become  so  much  interested  in  a  dinner  party  as  to 
make  him  forget  my  poor  letter.  It  would  be  almost 
an  unpardonable  offence.  I  must  now  close,  however, 
as  it  is  the  General's  walking  time,  and  the  shades  of 
evening,  now  setting  in,  show  that  I  have  but  a  few 
minutes  more  of  daylight;  the  twilight  is  here,  so  near 
the  equator,  very  short.  May  God  continue  to  guard 
you  and  keep  our  hearts  filled  with  religious  thankful 
ness  and  gratitude  for  all  His  mercies  and  goodness  to 
us. 

No.  22.    ESPIRITU  SANTO,  MEXICO, 

Wednesday,  October  20,  1847. 

No.  21  was  hurriedly  finished  and  despatched  yes 
terday  morning  by  Mr.  Linder,  a  gentleman,  friend  of 
one  of  the  young  gentlemen  of  the  General's  Staff,  who 
went  down  in  company  with  the  Br.  Minister.  That 
letter  is,  I  suppose,  certain  of  reaching  Vera  Cruz 
safely,  and  I  hope  that  my  wife  will  soon  receive  it. 
I  almost  regret  not  having  directed  it  to  Jeffersonton, 
as  a  long  passage  would,  perhaps,  place  it  there  about 
the  time  of  your  return.  Here  there  seems  to  be  no 
other  change  in  season  than  what  is  produced  by  the 
rain. 

I  stepped  this  morning  into  the  house  just  left  by 
the  Br.  Minister  to  see  how  his  articles  sold  at  auction. 
I  find  the  people  here  as  big  fools  as  they  are  with  us, 
paying  more  for  things  than  they  could  buy  them  for  in 
stores.  I  thought  of  buying  two  little  pieces  of  plate, 
but  they  soon  jumped  over  my  limit.  Most  of  the 
purchasers  were  foreigners,  English  and  French. 


In  Mexico  335 

No  news  to-day  from  the  seat  of  Govt.  Santa  Anna 
has,  finding  he  could  gain  no  laurels  on  the  road, 
started  on  his  return  to  the  seat  of  Genl.  Govt.  and 
issued  an  edict,  pronouncing  against  Pefia  y  Pefia  on 
whom  his  resignation  threw  the  robes  of  office,  and 
reassuming  the  office  of  President.  This  is  certainly 
the  most  inconsistent  and  servile  people  in  the  world; 
they  allow  that  man  to  play  upon  them  as  he  pleases. 

Until  they  feel  more  of  the  spirit  of  freedom,  and  even 
of  manhood,  than  they  do  now,  they  are  only  fit  to  be 
governed  by  tyrants.  I  very  much  fear  that  the 
impossibility  of  forming  and  maintaining  a  good,  stable 
Govt.  will  keep  us  here  for  an  indefinite  time.  I 
however  never  allow  myself  to  despair,  as  I  have  ever 
found  things  finally  (and  frequently  sooner  than  I  had 
hoped)  to  be  as  I  hoped  and  desired.  Poor  Capt. 
McKenzie,  2nd  Arty.,  was  buried  this  afternoon;  he  had 
an  attack  of  the  pleurisy,  I  think,  and  persisted  in 
doctoring  himself. 

Friday,  October  22nd. 

Genl.  Scott  last  night  decided  that  a  train  of  wagons 
were  to  go  to  Vera  Cruz,  leaving  this  place  in  five  or 
six  days.  Oh,  that  I  could  go  with  it — but  under  the 
circumstances  in  which  we  are  here,  that  would,  I 
suppose,  be  entirely  out  of  the  question.  It  would  be 
unkind  in  me  to  make  an  application  after  the  strong 
manner  in  which  the  Genl.  has  laid  down  his  principles 
relative  to  Officers  leaving  the  Country. 

To-day  I  have  been  out  with  Derr,  trying  to  make  up 
a  little  box.  I  have  purchased  several  trifles  which  I 
thought  might  amuse  you,  but  I  could  have  pleased 
myself  much  better  at  Puebla.  I  hope  to  find  some 
thing  for  you,  but  at  present,  in  consequence  of  the 


336          An  Artillery  Officer 

long  continuance  of  our  War  and  blockade,  their  stock 
of  foreign  goods  is  very  much  reduced,  and  of  domestic 
articles  the  Mexicans  produce  none  of  any  value. 
Derr  is  a  most  honest  and  warmly  attached  man. 
His  wound  is,  I  am  glad  to  say,  entirely  well. 

Many  of  the  cases  of  Officers,  whose  limbs  have  been 
amputated,  have  not  taken  so  favorable  a  turn  within  a 
few  days  as  their  previous  condition  warranted  us  in 
hoping  for.  I  scribble  away,  but  my  heart  is  in  my 
mouth.  I  can  think  of  nothing  but  the  train  that  is 
going  down  and  of  the  hearts  that  will  be  gladdened 
by  the  return  of  friends  and  relatives,  in  some  cases 
husbands  and  fathers.  My  time  may  come  sooner  than 
I  dare  hope.  God  grant  it.  But  I  almost  despair. 

Some  one  will  go  whom  you  will  see  and  they  will 
tell  you  all  about  me.  Do  not  despond,  my  wife. 
We  shall,  I  hope,  soon  meet  again,  never  more  to  be 
separated;  I  am  "tired  of  War's  Alarms,"  and  dis 
gusted  the  more  and  more  perfectly  as  I  hear  of  the 
appointments  made  at  Washington  over  us.  The  Army 
will  soon  not  be,  it  hardly  is  now,  a  place  for  gentle 
men.  Enough  for  to-day.  Bonsoir. 

Sunday,  October  24th. 

Can  it  be  that  /  shall  be  the  bearer  of  this  letter? 
I  will  not  even  yet  indulge  the  delightful  thought. 
Lt.  Lay  told  me  this  morning  that  Genl.  Scott  had 
directed  his  Acting  Adjt.  Genl.  to  order  me  to  the 
United  States.  /  have  not  applied.  The  Genl.  has,  in 
his  many  conversations  with  me,  spoken  so  warmly 
about  everybody's  wanting  to  go  home,  that  I  made  up 
my  mind  to  remain  here.  Dr.  Steiner  told  me  yester 
day  morning,  in  the  presence  of  Lt.  Hamilton,  that  I 
ought  to  go  to  the  United  States ;  that  it  would  be  much 


In  Mexico  337 

longer  than  three  months  before  my  arm  would  be 
well,  and  that  I  would  not  be  fit  for  duty.  Lt.  H. 
mentioned  this  conversation  to  the  Genl.  who  told  Lt. 
H.  to  say  to  me  that  if  I  wished  it,  I  should  go.  This 
morning  Dr.  Steiner  told  me  that  he  would  give  me  a 
certificate,  that  I  would  not  be  fit  for  duty  in  three 
months.  But  I  have  not  even  hinted  to  the  Genl. 
that  I  desired  to  go,  except  in  general  remarks  before 
the  publication  of  his  order.  I  am  therefore  rejoiced 
that,  if  I  go,  it  will  be  from  no  application  of  my 
own. 

A  strange  incident  has  just  occurred.  The  Genl.  had 
just  taken  his  seat  in  his  bedroom  on  returning  from 
church,  when  a  Mexican  entered  it  with  a  confused  air, 
and  asked  in  French  and  in  a  loud  tone  if  he  was  Genl. 
Scott.  The  Genl.  immediately  sprang  up,  approached 
him,  and  asked  him  in  a  bold  tone  how  he  dared  enter 
his  bedroom.  The  man  became  intimidated  and  the 
Genl.  ordered  him  out.  It  appears  from  his  question 
ings  of  the  guard  below,  that  he  was  seeking  Genl. 
Smith,  who  struck  one  of  his  companions  for  rudely, 
and  in  a  blackguard's  manner,  blocking  the  sidewalk 
as  the  Genl.  and  his  friends  went  to,  or  returned  from 
church,  this  afternoon. 

But  am  I  so  soon  to  see  my  own  beloved?  God 
grant  that  this  so  great  happiness  may  be  in  store  for 
me.  I  will  indulge  a  little  in  the  hope.  Good-day. 

No.  22.     MEXICO,  October  27,  1847. 
DEAREST  WIFE, 

Words  cannot  express  the  gratitude  to  God  I  enjoy 
in  saying  to  you  that  to-morrow  I  leave  Mexico  to 
rejoin  you.  This  little  note  will  be  sent  by  the  Br. 
Courier,  and  though  he  leaves  a  day  after  we  do,  he  will 


An  Artillery  Officer 

reach  Vera  Cruz  a  week  or  ten  days  before  us.  A 
large  train  of  wagons  go  down,  and  our  march  will 
necessarily  be  slow.  Major  Wade  and  Lt.  Welsh  also 
leave  this  Country.  Genl.  Scott  most  kindly  ordered 
me  out  without  my  making  an  application.  He  wishes 
me  to  commence  duties  on  the  recruiting  service  as  soon 
as  I  am  sufficiently  well  to  do  so.  You  must  not  expect 
me  until  about  the  2Oth  of  November,  as  I  may  be 
detained  some  days  in  Vera  Cruz,  and  then  have  a 
tedious  passage  to  New  Orleans.  Remember  the  te 
dious  trip  I  made  from  Tampa  Bay  to  Tampico. 

I  was  anxious  to  take  Derr  with  me,  but  fear  that  I 
will  not  be  permitted  to  do  so.  He  had  set  his  heart 
on  it,  but  he  has  so  far  recovered  that  he  cannot  go 
out  with  the  invalids.  My  arm,  or  rather  my  shoulder, 
is  still  very  stiff  and  unmanageable,  but  a  little  home 
nursing  with  quiet  will,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  bring 
everything  right  again.  The  newspapers  will,  I  think  it 
quite  probable,  announce  our  coming,  as  two  Generals 
go  out — Generals  Quitman  and  Shields — and  other 
friends  will  certainly  herald  their  approach.  They  are 
both  brave  and  honorable  men.  Genl.  Pillow's  inordi 
nate  vanity  has  so  inflated  him  as  to  disgust  every 
body.  I  must  not  omit  mention  of  your  old  friends — Lts. 
Judd  and  Thomas  (the  smaller)  go  to  Vera  Cruz  on 
their  way  to  join  Genl.  Taylor's  Army,  as  the  Compy. 
to  which  they  belong  is  there.  Lt.  Brown  remains 
here — he  is  very  well  and  deservedly  a  favorite  with  all 
who  know  him. 

October  28th. 

The  Express  of  the  Br.  Minister  is  now  in  Mr.  Trist's 
room,  having  come  for  the  letters.  I  must  therefore 
close.  The  roads  are  so  muddy  that  we  cannot  leave 


In  Mexico  339 

for  two  or  three  days.    That  God  may  bless  you,  is 
the  earnest  prayer  of  your  own  devoted 

ROBERT  ANDERSON. 


CITY  OF  MEXICO, 

October  24,  1847. 

I  certify  on  honor,  that  Captain  Robert  Anderson 
of  the  3rd  Artillery  has  been  under  my  professional 
charge  for  the  last  month,  from  a  gun-shot  wound  in 
the  right  shoulder,  received  at  the  battle  of  Molino 
del  Rey,  and  that,  in  my  opinion,  he  will  not  recover 
the  use  of  his  right  arm  (it  being  now  completely 
disabled)  for  at  least  two  or  three  months  to  come. 

(signed)  H.  H.  STEINER, 

Asst.  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. 


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Book  Slip-Series  458 


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Anderson,   R. 

Artillery  officer  in 


Call  Number: 

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